Layout pdf printing issues
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I have been experiencing an issue with my local printer and I was hoping someone out there could lend me some insights.
I have created a 24x36 planset in Layout with myriad instances of a linked sketchup file.
I export it out as a medium resolution PDF file (tried high resolution with no difference)
Export is as expected and scaled versions print on 8.5x11 and 11x17 paper no problem
But, when I send it over to my commercial printer to print them full size in greyscale, the bounding box of the Sketchup file (set as white in Sketchup Styles and turned OFF in Layout) prints completely black.
So, I open the PDF in Acrobat to see what is up. First, I preflight it to greyscale and try that. Same black background prints.
Then, I use PDF Optimizer to flatten the PDF with no downsampling of the images. I now get these weird white grid lines that show up when viewing the pdf on the computer but the print is perfect, with no black background and no white lines. But now I would need two sets of PDF's, one with no white lines for digital use, and one with the white lines for printing.
So, I go back into Layout, explode the Sketchup instances and repeat the entire optimizer process with the PDF. Now, no white lines and perfect print. But, if I have to explode all of my Sketchup links to get a "good"pdf, then that obviously stinks.
I can't help but think this is an issue with the particular printer they are using, but it sure takes an easy process and makes it much more cumbersome and frustrating.
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
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I have no clue as to what is happening to your pdfs but I do have a suggestion: why not export to jpg and send images to the printer? I have not heard of images having printing problems.
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Thanks for the suggestion, Edson.
Thought is was weird that the Layout PDF was causing so much problems with the printer. I still think it is a setting on their end, but who knows.
Too bad no one else has experienced this.
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@unknownuser said:
Thought is was weird that the Layout PDF was causing so much problems with the printer. I still think it is a setting on their end, but who knows.
Too bad no one else has experienced this.
You are not alone.......and while I may not have experienced the "exact" same....poor results....from the local print shop.......I have experienced very similar problems.
Short version:
I understand my local shop takes the .pdf I send them, and converts the file "pages" to .tif....and then prints them.I have challenged them on this practice as it almost always results in loss of info...... and so they reluctantly have the "other print shop' (they have 3)re- print from the native .pdf.(some story about Adobe commercial license $...etc.)
Again...to be short...."your" print shop is most likely the culprit....and not so much your exported Layout .pdf's or...any variation (reduced file or otherwise) you are generating via Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Best,
Charlie -
Go to a different printer - both of you. Converting a .pdf to .tif can cause many more problems - like scale. They should be printing the pdf's as you send them, no different.
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Yes, I am surely thinking the printer is to fault. Of course, I live in a small town and this printer is the go-to printer for all the contractors in town.
Makes me look unprofessional when I am the only guy giving them pdfs that they can't print correctly. Very annoying.
Thanks guys!
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@unknownuser said:
Yes, I am surely thinking the printer is to fault. Of course, I live in a small town and this printer is the go-to printer for all the contractors in town.
Makes me look unprofessional when I am the only guy giving them pdfs that they can't print correctly. Very annoying.
Thanks guys!
OTB,
Similar situation here as well, print shop has majority using ACAD or otherwise sending in .tif (at least that is what they tell me)
And as such they are rigid in requesting I send in .tif and not .pdf. (Really!)Anywho......I used to have a print driver installed on my machine for their printer. (Oce' xxx I forget the model#) and I would plot to file (.plt)
My prints(from my CAD software) would come out just as they should (pen wts/shades/etc.)........and the file sizes were tiny. (less than 100kb)Why I mention this?
Perhaps you could find out the exact make & model printer your local shop is using and try a print to file from LO.......if possible.
I may even try this myself as I am still frustrated with my local shop "fogetting" to have their sattelite shop process my stuff.Sorry if this reads like a rant, and short on details about the print/plot procedure with an "installed" printer/plotter driver.(been a couple years since doing so)
The downside to the plot to file as I recall was you could not "view" those files.
Plus it is an extra step which is always a p.i.a. but so is missing info or poor quality paper prints @ x$ per sq. ft.Best,
Charlie -
Charlie, thanks for the suggestion.
I think that is a great idea; I will update here with results.
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I still don't see why they are incapable of printing pdf? Back when I used ACAD, everything was printed from PDF - never used .Tif due to the potential scaling issues. I don't live in a large town either - around 15000 population and our printer gets it right every time. If you get really frustrated, I just bought an in house printer for $2800 that works incredibly well. It can print the pdf's generated from LO in 1 minute full color. It's an HP T790. It's been great so far!
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@unknownuser said:
I still don't see why they are incapable of printing pdf? Back when I used ACAD, everything was printed from PDF - never used .Tif due to the potential scaling issues. I don't live in a large town either - around 15000 population and our printer gets it right every time. If you get really frustrated, I just bought an in house printer for $2800 that works incredibly well. It can print the pdf's generated from LO in 1 minute full color. It's an HP T790. It's been great so far!
Sonder,
First....thank you for your incredible support/advise/tutorials of the SU Layout module.
An inspiring compilation indeed.RE: Local Print Shop
I do not understand my local print shops difficulties either....to my (mild) yet vocal frustration, I have not really pressed them on it but to say/demonstrate the omissions/etc.
To which they will "get it right" the second go round.That said, I normally print off 11"x17"'s of my Arch D's for proofing (BizHub) which of course are just as they should be.
IOW...I rarely print Arch D's for my own consumption............rather leave that for the client/contractor(s) etc. to order.And of course that is where the problems arise.........the WYSIWYG .pdf......often does not square with the print shops output.
I am running on here........but....end of the day I think we are fast approaching a somewhat paperless document era.........and in my opinion it cannot happen fast enough with respect to the current printing difficulties.
Plus, seeing all the incredible details you have created....would be a real shame to see them printed grey scaled.All the best,
Charlie
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