How can I avoid transparency issues in my print files

Question

Catdi Printing · Accepted Answer

Transparency problems occur when effects like drop shadows, glows, or transparent images are placed on top of Pantone (spot) colors. On screen everything looks correct, but after printing you may see white boxes, color shifts, or missing effects. The fix: convert all spot colors to CMYK before applying any effects, then flatten the file to merge all layers and eliminate live transparency. Shadows, glows, feathered edges, and semi-transparent images are the most common culprits — convert and flatten before uploading.