How do I simulate overprinting in Adobe Reader?

Question

On both Mac and Windows when I print a document there is an advanced screen that allows me to select an option called Simulate Overprinting, however such an option doesn't appear on the Ubuntu version.

Wikipedia on overprinting:

Overprinting refers to the process of printing one colour on top of another in reprographics. This is closely linked to the reprographic technique of 'trapping'. Another use of overprinting is to create a rich black (often regarded as a colour that is "blacker than black") by printing black over another dark colour.

This is an issue for us, as we're trying to print documents that need flattening (this is what overprinting does).

Am I missing something here, is there a way to enable overprinting on printed PDFs?

Note: Please don't confuse simulate overprinting with overprint preview, of which doesn't apply when printing.

Just to show you what I'm looking for, this is the Print > Advanced screen...

And this is what I see on the Ubuntu screen, not no option for overprinting

Solution

Is the following procedure an option for you?

1. Use (a very recent version of) Ghostscript to apply the SimulateOverprint option to your original file.
2. Use the output of Ghostscript to send to the printer.

The Ghostscript command would be:

gs -sDEVICE=pdfwrite          \
   -o simulated-overprint.pdf \
   -dSimulateOverprint=true   \
    orig.pdf

Comments

[Admin]

I don't understand your Question, Do you want to print outside the printable margin?

[Admin]

There's an option called simulate overprinting on Mac and Windows... but not on Ubuntu, I want to enable that option.

[Admin]

I added a small note about what overprinting is to reduce confusion. But, other than that - I'm afraid if option is not there then, well, it's not there. There's a small chance that some hidden config option exists somewhere, of course.

[Admin]

Try installing adobe reader windows version via wine, maybe it may support overprinting. Ubuntu version of adobe doesn't support overprinting.

[Ben Everard]

Our current work around is a Windows machine that people connect to (remote desktop) to print these problem PDFs... quite annoying if you ask me.

[swift]

i'm sorry, same feelings. Adobe strategic Portable Document Format. All for money. No difference what is a device where stored PDF source.