PDFs exported from Publisher only saving single image, no layers!

[MKap2]

PDFs exported from Publisher do not contain layers any more, just a single flattened JPG image. Reimporting the PDF into Publisher or for any printing or editing purposes or copying text, this is now absolutely useless. Was working fine before, so might have happened in your latest update. Very frustrating, as printers need access to details. I tried to export my file with multiple options available, nothing works. I might just as well export it as e JPG. Grrrr!

2025_26_BrochureTest.pdf

[Hangman]

Hi @MKap2 and welcome to the forums,

Which PDF Preset are you using when exporting your file? If you're referring to Layers with a Capital 'L', then for

• PDF (press ready), then you'll need to manually tick the 'Include Layers' checkbox in the Advanced section of the PDF Export settings window.
• PDF/X-1a:2003 or PDF/X-3 then Layers are not supported
• All other presets have the options checked by default, so they will export Layers

If you're referring to standard layers (without a Capital 'L'), then this is working as expected here when re-opening the exported PDF file... Could you upload your Publisher document so we can take a look?

[MKap2]

Doing all this, still only get flat image. Export PDF press ready with layers checked, but have tried all other versions as well. Always same result!

2025_26_BrochureTestRepeat.pdf 2025_26_BrochureTest.afpub

[loukash]

@MKap2, on some text you're using the Outline Effect to add an outline stroke.
Don't!
Using certain FX on text will inevitably rasterize it, including anything below that may be also affected by the effect.
Use white stroke on the text instead.

Other than that, exporting your afpub using the PDF export options from your screenshots works as expected, with only the aforementioned parts being rasterized.

[Hangman]

Hi @MKap2,

Thanks for the files... @loukash just beat me to it but...

The rasterisation is happening for two reasons:

• The Artistic Text has an Outline FX applied, which will cause the text to become rasterised when exported to PDF
• The Etobicoke logo has an Erase Blend Mode applied to the Group that the elements are sitting in, which again will cause rasterisation on export to PDF

In the attached file (page 1 only), I've amended the file so it will now export correctly without the rasterisation, though you will need to relink the linked files...

You will likely not notice that when opening the PDF in Publisher, it doesn't do a perfect job with the stroke applied to the Kabel light numerals, but the actual PDF is not affected from a print point of view...

2025_26_BrochureTest_v2.afpub 2025_26_BrochureTest_v2.pdf

[MKap2]

Thank you. Yes, this did the trick. I changed the FX strokes to a regular white pt. 3 stroke. The only thing is that the Kabel font is now all single outline letters/layers, but not so much a problem if all else works.