We are running Acrobat Pro Version 6, Windows Xp Professional, Using an HP Lasetjet 5000ps, with the most current driver and we are encountering a problem printing SCREENS from Acrobat. I use the advanced settings & tell it to print a line screen of 85 lpi / 600 dpi and it won't print it this way. This is an Acrobat problem as far as I can tell, because if I place the same pdf in InDesign & print it using the same print settings I get a proper line screen, instead of the "continuous tone" that Acrobat gives me directly. We are an offset print house and use the laser output (85 line screens) to shoot our plates with our camera for the press. We do not print directly to press/plate. We are more than willing to upgrade to the most current version of Acrobat if we KNOW it will fix this problem, but I don't want to waste my money if it STILL won't print the way I need it to.
Printing Line Screen Problem
2007-06-22 19:02:09
My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 6.0.0, Windows
Acrobat Pro 6.0.0, Windows
2007-06-23 15:33:49
#2
Yes, I'm using the Advanced tab, under "output" I select Color: Composite, And screening: 85lpi 600dpi. As I mentioned I'm able to get proper line screens with this printer from other programs like Quark & InDesign, just not Acrobat. I JUST tried printing the file(s) as CMYK seperations (black plate only)which DOES give me a proper dot pattern, BUT it makes my TEXT screened and not 100% black. (Even though on the seperations print preview it shows EVERYTHING including the text on the BLACK plate ONLY)
2007-06-28 14:58:58
#3
This is interesting. I would typically use a job ticket to submit PDFs to the output device hence why this problem seems a little sticky (and not Acrobat).
Let's eliminate the PDF itself and use the link in the first email - this application can control output resolution and line screen configurations.
One test you might want to try - create a document in Quark / InDesign and then tell the application to use a specific resolution and line screen. Afterwards create a custom job setting in Distiller and turn ON the PRESERVE HALFTONE SCREEN option and output from Acrobat ...
Cheers,
Jon
Let's eliminate the PDF itself and use the link in the first email - this application can control output resolution and line screen configurations.
One test you might want to try - create a document in Quark / InDesign and then tell the application to use a specific resolution and line screen. Afterwards create a custom job setting in Distiller and turn ON the PRESERVE HALFTONE SCREEN option and output from Acrobat ...
Cheers,
Jon
2007-06-28 18:46:05
#4
A couple of things, first, my boss is willing to pay $189 to UPGRADE the Acrobat program IF it will fix this problem, but I haven't downloaded the trial to test it out, she doesn't want to pay $500 dollars for a NEW program, that all it does is control the output of PDFs. ACROBAT is SUPPOSED to be able to do THAT. All my other Adobe products do it perfectly, so I can't understand why Acrobat DOESN'T.
Second, These files are not created by ME, I have no control over HOW they are created, BUT I will try the experiment you suggested on my end to see if I can get it to work. Then the trouble would be trying to get my customers to create the file that way.
PDF was supposed to help us streamline our printing, but if I can't get the line screen I need from it it is WORTHLESS to me. A $500 program might not be a bad investment if we needed it for more than this ONE customer, but this is the only customer we have that insists on sending PDF's instead of native files. We don't have need for all the EXTRAS that other program has, all I need is to print a line screen. It shouldn't be this difficult. :-(
Thank you for taking the time to try to help me with this issue, I will download the Trial Acrobat 8 and also try the other test to see if either of those will work.
Second, These files are not created by ME, I have no control over HOW they are created, BUT I will try the experiment you suggested on my end to see if I can get it to work. Then the trouble would be trying to get my customers to create the file that way.
PDF was supposed to help us streamline our printing, but if I can't get the line screen I need from it it is WORTHLESS to me. A $500 program might not be a bad investment if we needed it for more than this ONE customer, but this is the only customer we have that insists on sending PDF's instead of native files. We don't have need for all the EXTRAS that other program has, all I need is to print a line screen. It shouldn't be this difficult. :-(
Thank you for taking the time to try to help me with this issue, I will download the Trial Acrobat 8 and also try the other test to see if either of those will work.
2007-07-02 20:08:27
#5
OK, here's an update, I downloaded & tried Acrobat 8, it STILL did not allow me to print proper line screens, even though I set all the required preferences.I then uninstalled Acrobat 8 and installed Crackerjack reccomended above, it DID allow me more control over line screen, HOWEVER the screened image it provided me was WAY to dark in the shadow areas, and blown out in the light areas. So we won't be forking out $500 to get that crappy line screen.
The one thing I didn't try was the Preserve Halftone Screen suggestion. Even if it works, I doubt I'll be able to get the customer to give me the file that way. I think I'm going to give up on this for now, and continue placing the supplied pdfs into InDesign for printing. What a hassle, but at least I KNOW it works.
Thank you for reading.
The one thing I didn't try was the Preserve Halftone Screen suggestion. Even if it works, I doubt I'll be able to get the customer to give me the file that way. I think I'm going to give up on this for now, and continue placing the supplied pdfs into InDesign for printing. What a hassle, but at least I KNOW it works.
Thank you for reading.
Acrobat will use the screen values in the PPD of the print device. Let us know if this device does hold options in the screening category.
In the meantime, you can download a free and fully functional Acrobat 8 Professional trial at [url=http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatpro/tryout.php]http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatpro/tryout.php[/url]
Cheers,
Jon
PS - you might want to investigate this product - [url=http://artspdf.com/arts_pdf_crackerjack.asp]http://artspdf.com/arts_pdf_crackerjack.asp[/url]
I've been using Acrobat since v1.0 and still get amazed by its power. An Acrobat ACE since 1999