PDF Passthrough Isn't Honoured for PDF/X-1a:2003 Files

[Hangman]

This issue has been discussed previously but I'm not aware that it's been logged as a bug so I'm raising it here just in case...

PDF Passthrough isn't honoured for PDF/X-1a:2003 files when exporting placed PDF/X-1a:2003 files...

 

Source PDF/X-1a:2003 File

The file is correctly separated...

 

The Same File is then Placed in Affinity Publisher and Exported as a PDF/X-1a:2003 File

PDF Passthrough isn't honoured as shown by the Separations...

 

PDF/X-1a:2003

When placed using PDF Passthrough and re-exported as a PDF/X-1a:2003 file, the exported file:

• Has all vector elements from the source PDF file rasterised
• Doesn't maintain the same CMYK values as the original PDF file

 

Using a U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2 Document Profile results in the following conversion between the source, placed PDF file and the file exported using PDF Passthrough for PDF/X-1a:2003 files...

 

PDF/X-1a:2003 Source CMYK Values | PDF/X-1a:2003 Exported Using PDF Passthrough

Note: K:100 text added to the Publisher file prior to export, correctly exports as K:100

 

Note: All other PDF and PDF/X variants export correctly when using PDF Passthrough...

Files attached

1. Affinity Designer Source File
2. Affinity Publisher File with Source PDF Files Placed using PDF Passthrough
3. PDF/X-1a:2003 Source File
4. PDF/X-1a:2003 Exported File using PDF Passthrough
5. PDF/X-1a:2003 Source Pre-separated Pages
6. PDF/X-1a:2003 Passthrough Pre-separated Pages

 

PDF Source File Master.afdesign

PDF Passthrough File Master.afpub

02. pdf_X-1a_source.pdf

02. pdf_X-1a_passthrough.pdf

02. pdf_X-1a_source_separations.pdf

02. pdf_X-1a_passthrough_separations.pdf

 

[Dan C]

Hi Hangman,

There are a few limitations with passthrough shown below:

• Version incompatibility

• Colour space

• Image adjustments

• Layer Effects

• Transparency

• For example if the version of the placed PDF is higher than that of the export PDF it cannot be passed through.

• If the colour space of the placed PDF does not match the colour space of the export PDF it cannot be passed through.

• If Image Adjustments, Layer Effects or  Transparency are applied to the placed PDF it cannot be passed through.

• If the PDF cannot be passed through it will be 'interpreted'.

 

These issues should be flagged in pre-flight (with correct PDF output selected), which account for some of your issues.

However, it does look like you have uncovered an issue with an incompatible PDF 1.4 exported as PDF/X-1a:2003 not flagging in the pre-flight checklist.

 

Lee

[Hangman]

Hi @Lee_T,

Quote

However, it does look like you have uncovered an issue with an incompatible PDF 1.4 exported as PDF/X-1a:2003 not flagging in the pre-flight checklist.

I've updated the original post because I spotted an error with my PDF 1.4 test, these actually do export correctly using PDF Passthrough, so it is only PDF/X-1a:2003 files that have the issue...

This particular issue is likely to cause problems when using services such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark when providing their requested PDF/X-1a formatted files, although IngramSpark does also accept PDF/X-3 files as well though unless you are aware of the issue with PDF/X-1a:2003 files, exported using Passthrough you could run into issues with files being rejected and likewise when providing PDF/X-1a:2003 files to print companies for the same reason.

There is a separate issue with Affinity Publisher's Pre-flight check where placed PDF files that use Passthrough incorrectly flag text as 'Object of a Different Colourspace to the Document Colourspace' which I reported separately here...

 

 

Obviously, when exporting a placed PDF/X-1a:2003 using Passthrough in Publisher as a PDF/X-1a:2003 with the same colourspace, the Passthrough should be honoured but it isn't for this one PDF flavour for some reason.

[stevenh]

Hey Hangman - I just did your test, and unless I missed a step, the color separations looks good to me.

1. opened your orig AD file in AD2.2.0 (Made the PMS spot color and set to overprint just for fun)  [03.PDF Source File Master.afdesign]

2 Exported as PDF/X-1a:2003 [03. pdf_X-1a_source.pdf]

3. Placed pdf in AP 2.2.0 and grouped as layer so PASSTHROUGH is applied [03.PDF Source File Master.afpub]

4. Exported as PDFG/X-1a:2003 [03. pdf_X-1a_AP2.2.0_output.pdf]

Output oks like all % values are maintained

Let me know what you think.  BTW - what did you use to show the Comparison color values in the SAMPLE and PASSTHROUGH screenshot?

 

03. pdf_X-1a_AP2.2.0_output.pdf 03. pdf_X-1a_source.pdf 03.PDF Source File Master.afdesign 03.PDF Source File Master.afpub

[Hangman]

Hey @stevenh,

I finally had time to test as well and indeed this does now appear to be working correctly and I'm seeing correct separations as well so it appears the Passthrough issue has now been fixed in v2.2.

Many thanks for testing the files as well, it's always good to have another pair of eyes...

15 hours ago, stevenh said:

BTW - what did you use to show the Comparison color values in the SAMPLE and PASSTHROUGH screenshot?

pdfToolbox for the separations in the first two screenshots and Publisher to create the table showing the colour value comparison values in the third screenshot.

[stevenh]

ahhh. Callas. I used to use PitStop back in the day. I worked Pre-press for many years as a commercial printer.

Now I'm just a one-man graphics department, so having input from other working pros is really helpful.