Create a pdf with no background, is it possible?

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Level 1

0 points

Create a pdf with no background, is it possible?

I'm trying to have some t shirts made up for my company, with a simple text on the front. I used Pages, saved as a pdf then converted the file to a jpeg. The problem is that when I upload the file I get a white block rather than just the text. I had assumed that if I didn't have a background there would be, well, no background. Like when making web sites, right?

Clearly that isn't the case here and I wondered if anyone knew if it is possible to create a few lines of text in pages and only save the text rather than the page it's printed on.

I don't have other programs for this or know how to use other programs, like Photoshop or stuff like that, though I do have Word.

I can't use the t shirt company's text feature because I have particular line and letter spacing I need.

Any help would be appreciated, even it's just to tell me it can't be done.

Thanks!

Mark

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Aug 24, 2012 9:28 PM

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Answer 1

Peggy

Level 8

41,847 points

Aug 24, 2012 11:53 PM in response to busterv

Rather than converting to a jpeg which does not support transparency, use png. I know it can be done but I've never used Preview to make the background transparent. I use GraphicConverter for stuff like that.

If no one has any other thoughts before morning, I'll dig into it more.

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Answer 2

Aug 25, 2012 3:03 AM in response to busterv

As Peggy has pointed out jpegs do not have transparent background. A png file will pixelate your text but can have a transparent background.

Best is to make a transparent background pdf by creating the text to your liking in a TextBox in Pages which by default has a transparent background, then click on the text box and copy it.

Switch to Preview.app and go command n, then save that Preview file as a pdf.

That has a transparent background.

Do Not export or print to pdf from Pages itself, which has a white background behind all objects.

Peter

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,452 points

Aug 26, 2012 7:37 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

This was great functional information.

To actually see the transparency effect within Preview, one must have the View > Show Document Background menu item checked.

To see the transparency effect in Acrobat Reader 10.1.4, Preferences > Page Display > Page Content and Information > Show transparency grid is checked.

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Answer 4

Peggy

Level 8

41,847 points

Aug 26, 2012 10:55 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

I did some playing with Preview yesterday & was able to do a lot of things I usually use Graphic Converter for. It even offered to convert a .jpg to .png when I erased some of the background.

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