[j45degrees]

I have a scanned signature that looks great when placed and printed from an InDesign document to laser printer.

When I export the document to PDF the signature looks terrible and prints terrible.

I tried the signature as a PICT, EPS, TIFF. All look fuzzy and stupid.

How do I get a PDF file from InDesign where the signature is sharp as in the original document?

[gatorparrots]

Take the scan in Photoshop and convert it to a 1200PPI bitmap (50% Threshold in the conversion). Lineart should typically be 1200PPI Bitmap mode for optimum reproduction. 900 is acceptable, 600 is pushing it. Anything below that displays noticeable pixel "stairstepping" on curves. Also, if it isn't it Bitmap mode (as opposed to grayscale or a color mode), it will print with halftoned edges, making it very fuzzy on the edges.

Once this is done, save it as a TIFF so it is pure 1-bit and background images can show through the white areas of the graphic. Then just relink to your newly saved graphic in InDesign.

[j45degrees]

Thank you for the instructions. I'll do this tonight.

[Corys]

Could also be that your indesign settings are downsampling that scanned image to save space..

what profile are you using to export the PDF?

[j45degrees]

Originally posted by Corys:
Could also be that your indesign settings are downsampling that scanned image to save space..

what profile are you using to export the PDF?

You're right, I'm an idiot. I forgot to set the profile to print quality.

It looks great now.

Thanks