The Secret to Better PDF Proofs: Show Texture, Die-Lines, & Binding With Non-Printing Layers

How do you show a customer exactly how their design will look on a recycled substrate or with a wire-o punch, without those "guide" layers actually printing?

In this prepress tutorial, I'll show you how to create Non-Printing Layers in Adobe InDesign and Acrobat Pro. This technique allows you to provide a high-fidelity visual proof that includes backgrounds, perforation marks, or envelope windows, while ensuring those elements automatically disappear when the file is sent to your production equipment.

What you’ll learn in this video:
00:50 The Recycled Paper Trick: Showing ink laydown on textured substrates (like chipboard).
03:00 Why "Unchecking Print Layer" in InDesign isn't enough for PDF proofs.
03:45 Critical Export Settings: How to export with "Create Acrobat Layers" enabled.
04:44 Acrobat Secret: Changing layer properties from "Prints when visible" to "Never Prints."
06:50 Envelope Proofing: Visually mapping window positions without printing the window patch.
08:20 Perforation & Die-Lines: How to show the customer the cut but keep it off the press.
08:50 Wire-O & Binding Guides: preventing text from falling into punch holes using non-printing guides.

Prepress Workflow Benefits:
Better Proofs: Customers can approve jobs with higher confidence when they see the final "texture."
Production Speed: Stop manually deleting background layers or guides before every print run.
Error Prevention: Ensure your guides never accidentally end up on the final printed product.

If this prepress hack helps your workflow, please hit the LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE for more professional print production tips!

Files from this video are available for all paid Patreon members via this link:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-...

Support the Channel: Download the templates and backgrounds used in this video by joining our Patreon community: patreon.com/MikethePrintMan

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