See Where Shadow Detail is Lost in Acrobat
Acrobat’s Output Preview dialog box lets you check the reproduction of shadow detail. Choose Advanced> Print Production> Output Preview and turn on the Total Area Coverage option.
Now you can use the % field located to the right of the checkbox to select the total in percentage for the press and paper you’re printing on.
You can use the following total ink values as a guideline: Coated Stock: 300-340; uncoated stock: 280-300; and newsprint stock: 240-260.
Any areas in your image that contain ink total volumes exceeding your numeric value will be highlighted in bright green.
Jeff Gamet is a contributing editor for Design Tools Monthly, the executive summary of graphic design news. He is also the morning editor and reviews editor for The Mac Observer and iPodObserver.com, and contributing writer for Layers Magazine and Photoshop User. He writes the InBrief column for InDesign Magazine, and is the author of “The Designer’s Guide to Mac OS X,” from Peachpit Press
When Jeff isn’t writing about the graphic design world, he’s talking about it on the Design Tools Weekly podcast with co-host Jay Nelson. He also talks about Apple and the Mac world every week on The Mac Observer’s Apple Weekly Report.
Jeff studies, tests and reviews new software and technologies for the Macintosh community as well as the design and print industries. He is a former Pre-press specialist, and has nearly 25 years experience with computer technology. Jeff trains, lectures and consults on techniques for more efficiently using Mac OS X in creative environments throughout the country.
In the rare moments when he can get away from his MacBook Pro, Jeff spends his time climbing and biking in the Colorado mountains.
I would like to have Acrobat’s PreFlight warn me if Total Ink Coverage is above a certain number, but can’t seem to find it there. Am I missing something there? I would rather not to have to go to output preview every time.