Madeline

Please help me figure out how to be sure each page of my AD export to PDF (flatten) really gets flattened. The publisher showed me that some pages are not getting flattened and causing a shift to RGB from CMYK. I am a novice; please guide me through the correct export process to resolve this problem. All I did in exporting was choose the preset 'flatten'. I did not click on the 'more' box (except to look and be overwhelmed) because I have no understanding of those options. Perhaps it is one or more of these options I need to choose. And I need to be sure everything stays in CMYK, which is how I created each page of my artwork in AD I attached the screenshot they sent me. Thank you so much! Here is the message from the publisher. "As far as the color, some pages are converting to RGB, and others are staying in CMYK. For better understanding, I have attached a screenshot in wireframe mode of PDF pages 40-41 showing that pg 40 is flattened (one, large image - looks like an "X" across the whole page), while page 41 is showing multiple transparency boxes. You will need to make sure all pages are in the same color profile, flatten, and re-upload a new interior if you are not happy with the colors."

Thanks, Mike. They want CMYK which is what I set up in AD. They are saying that the transparent objects are causing a shift to RGB during the printing process which is causing the color problems. I would be happy to upload the PDFs. I could choose some individual pages rather than the whole book. How can I send it to you?

Every one of my illustrations was set up as CMYK. Yet the printing company told me that because my transparent objects may be in the RGB mode, they are causing problems regarding correct color printing by converting the page to the RGB mode. I have my doubts about this because the first proof was printed as a perfect match to the original colors of my AD illustrations. Also, some of the pages that have incorrect color do not contain any gradients or use of transparent images. Please tell me if there is a way to see if any of my images are in fact in RGB mode despite my setting each page up as CMYK. I'm trying to get to the bottom of this and have such limited knowledge. This is my first experience with Affinity Designer and self-publishing They also suggested I flatten my file before saving as a PDF. I can't begin to figure out how to do this. I had exported the entire document with the preset PDF (flatten). Is that correct? Please help me with these issues. Thank you!

I submitted my book to CreateSpace on Amazon. The first proof was perfect in color and cut but I had some minor textual changes to make, The 2nd proof had the text corrections but the color was wrong. Yellows became beige and a floor that was brown on one page was reddish on the opposing page. Below is the essence of the email that was sent to me by CS. After reviewing the files, the submitted interior file appears to be in CMYK mode throughout, but when processing the file for print, certain pages change from CMYK to RGB color profile, which is why we are seeing the color discrepancy. We recommend maintaining all original artwork in CMYK, which allows for the best possible conversion to our digital, CMYK printers. Furthermore, when we ran a test on your file, the report indicated 29 instances of transparent objects found. We assume that these transparent objects are in RGB mode, which is why certain pages are converting to RGB mode, and some are staying in CMYK. With that being said, we suggest that you remove all instances of transparent objects in your file, make sure every image is in the same color profile, and flatten your file before saving as a PDF. Flattening the file will preserve color and any appearances. Please make these revisions to your native file, and reupload. I set up each page of my AD doc as CMYK/8. convert was preselected and the box for transparency background was not selected. I am afraid that the big issue is transparencies. In my art work I used some FX for headlights, sunlight, metallic looks, etc but none of these illustrations were problematic in either proof. I would not want to remove them and don't know how to see if they are in RGB mode. When I exported to PDF, I chose PDF (flatten). raster DPI at 300 was preselected, and I did not click on 'Don't export layers hidden by Export persona" I had clicked on it originally and 2 out of my 44 pages exported in black and white. Unchecking that box brought everything to export in color. And I have no idea how to flatten a file before exporting it or saving it as a PDF, other than what I did as mentioned above. I am brand new at AD and at getting a book published. I'm so close but this problem has me stymied. Thank you in advance for your guidance and instruction on how to resolve these issues. Madeline

Thanks! :)

Thank you so much for your time. Exporting without that box checked seems to have solved the problem as all my pics are in color and they uploaded to Create Space successfully from my MacBook. I went from Affinity Designer directly to PDF and am so glad this problem seems to be solved. I just need to check out the previewer to see if there are any problems. I haven't been able to do that yet but hope to tackle it tomorrow. Many thanks!

I believe the problem may be solved. I did another export but unchecked the box “don’t export layers that are hidden by layer persona”. Then all 44 pages came out in color. I hope unchecking the box will not cause any problems when I upload to Createspace. Does this simple solution sound right to you? Thank you both for your time and suggestions.

It is page 3 and page 42 that are the problematic pages. Many thanks! It is uploading now.

The PDF preset is Flatten because CreateSpace on Amazon.com emphasized that the pages must be flattened. I will upload the file for you. Thank you also for the other suggestion. I am so new at this and would be willing to try except that the self-publishing platform wants submission in PDF format. I appreciate your response.

They either say group, curve, art text, or rectangle and appear to be set up no differently than the other 42 pages. The odd thing is they export into PDFs perfectly when done separately and only go black and white as part of the whole document. I am a complete novice at this so I am not even sure if I've answered your question exactly but truly hoping you can help guide me through this obstacle. Thanks!

When I exported my 44 pages of color illustrations into a PDF as one document, 2 of the pics went from color to shades of gray. Exporting the same 2 pages as individual PDFs keeps the color but I am supposed to get all the pages into one PDF file, as per the directions of CreateSpace on Amazon.com I am baffled and frustrated, not knowing how to correct this problem. I appreciate any help you can offer me. Thank you!