I'm impressed how hard it is to do a simple task: print/save as PDF some transparent vectored images, as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint graphics.
Word can save as PDF and keep the transparency unchecking the PDF/A Compliant, but non vector images (PNG JPE) quality is very bad (pixellated) and there is no option to customize PDF image compression.
Others apps like PDF Creator gives the user image compression options, but they don't keep the transparency.
Summary:
- App: Transparency / image quality
- Word builtin .pdf converter (Export or Save As): Keep transparency / Bad images resolution
- PDF creator, doPDF, CutePDF writer: NO transparency! / Configurable images resolution
Adobe PDF works, but it is paid:
Print and save transparent artwork
Flattening may be necessary when you print or when you save or export
to other formats that don’t support transparency. To retain
transparency without flattening when you create PDF files, save your
file as Adobe PDF 1.4 (Acrobat 5.0) or later.
PDF (from version 1.4) supports graphic transparency; PostScript does not.
I don't want to flatten my images
Is there any free non PostScript(garbage) printer so I can print in PDF version >= 1.4?
Best Answer
You may have a box checked in your settings that you should not. In the options panel, check that your ISO 19005-1 compliant (PDF/A) field is unchecked. This will prevent transparency's in artwork.
Credit to: In Publisher 2010 save as pdf causes png pictures to have black backgrounds. How can I fix this?