---
title: "Adobe InDesign and Transparent Images on Color Backgrounds"
date: 2009-03-30
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# Adobe InDesign and Transparent Images on Color Backgrounds

When you insert a transparent image over a color background in Adobe InDesign, the transparent image may look good when you generate the PDF, but when you actually print the image from a laser printer, the transparent image has a faint background where the image should otherwise be transparent.

I spent a long time trying to figure out the solution to this problem. It seemed to be a new, unheard of issue by everyone I asked. But after a post to an InDesign forum, I found the answer.

InDesign Secrets calls it "Yucky Discolored Box Syndrome." [Here's their solution:](http://indesignsecrets.com/eliminating-ydb-yucky-discolored-box-syndrome.php)

> Create a Transparency Flattener Preset that completely rasterizes everything:
>
> 1. Edit > Transparency Flattener Presets, click on "High" as a starting point, and then click "New."
>
>    In the ensuing dialog box, yank the raster/vector slider all the way to the left. Set the linework resolution to the printer's res (say, 600), and set the gradient/mesh resolution to, oh, 150. (I think you'll find shadow appearance satisfactory at 150. If not, go to 300.) Save as a new Flattener Preset.
> 2. File > Print, and under Output, choose Composite CMYK, and CHECK the "Simulate Overprint" checkbox. Under Advanced, select your all-raster flattener.