[cairo] PDF backend generates images that gs can't display etc

[Chris Murphy]

> On Sat, 20 Feb 2010 01:07:50 +0100, Arjen Nienhuis <a.g.nienhuis at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Solution 1: An api to create v1.2 PDFs
>> - Cairo would be compatible with 99% of all pdf viewers and almost
>> compatible with PDF/A
>> - A lot of RIPs and PDF tools used in the printing industry don't
>> really support PDF 1.4. This is very specialized software (and
>> expensive) and cannot be upgraded.


Every single modern RIP on the planet is supporting PDF 1.4 with live transparency. This is the primary workflow for a client of mine, one of the largest publishers in the world. Both their printing company's RIP process such files, as well as the proofing RIP.

The current versions of PDF/X-1a, and PDF/X-3 are PDF 1.4 based, transparency disallowed. PDF/X-4 and X-5 are PDF 1.6 based, transparency allowed.

The "Press Quality" PDF preset in Adobe applications creates PDF 1.4 based files, with live transparency. It's rather common now.

PDF 1.3 is legacy and should be dismissed for enabling modern workflows. PDF 1.2 shouldn't be considered.



Chris Murphy
Color Remedies (TM)
New York, NY
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Co-author "Real World Color Management, 2nd Ed"