How can I export colour separations

have tried unsuccessfully to export colour separations from Illustrator (CS5.1 MacOSX). I need the separations in an editable file format, but it seems like I am only able to print separations.



I have tried to print to a file with Output set to host-based separations but even that seems to be impossible. I get an error message "The save as PDF options in the Printer dialog are not supported".



The software is clever enough to do the separations, but somehow it can only print, not export them. Is there any additional software that would pose as a printer but instead of printing would create a file?

mevector,

I came across this item on the web that may answer your question:

Preparing Artwork for Screen Printing in Adobe Illustrator | Smashing Magazine

hope it helps,
eRic

Why can't you simply print seps to a postscript file.

Drag the resulting postscript file (.ps) to Acrobat Pro, which will convert it to a PDF.

The PDF will ahve a page for each plate.

Save the PDF.

Open the PDF with Illustrator and pick a page for the plate you want.

Great solution! Thanks for sharing.

Good tip

Color export tips very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

I think that link provided is really good but it doesn't address how to you're going to print out artwork that has gradients, halftones, or tints.

 

I made a youtube video that shows how to use illustrator and photoshop together to print separations with halftones for screen printing purposes. I hope this helps!

http://www.startscre...intwithoutrips/

Complex issues such as trapping and overprinting are not addressed by simple Illustrator separations. 

Illustrator experts can make many needed adjustments but it is very time consuming and, in the end, incomplete.

Complex files using spot and process colors, metallic inks, varnishes and coatings, special screen angles, all need third party software for professional work.

...Just saying

spam beyond belief

I say ban the user and the two people that liked it, obviously all trying cheap advertising which actually won't work and just puts us off completely!

I have pdf of packaging artwork, with 5 colour and i need to save special colour separately...how ...please help me I am trying since 15 days

How did you create your original artwork? Was it in AI?  And what colour format did you start with?  If you can't separate it yourself the printer can do it with their RIP machine so it is not the end of the world. 

Herbert Nordal might be able to help he is good at this stuff : )

I have pdf of packaging artwork, with 5 colour and i need to save special colour separately...how ...please help me I am trying since 15 days

 

I presume you are working in Illustrator and perhaps are using a die line template provided by the printer and are working in CYMK mode.

If your package is to be printed with four process colors and a spot color, the spot color must be selected from a spot color pallet (PMS).

If you just made up the color to look right, it will default to process color and not separate as spot.

 

If you are familiar with working with the printer driver, you can set to print to a postscript file and under "advanced" you can set it to "separation".

If you have correctly defined you colors and worked in the right mode, your spot color should appear on the separations menu.

You may then print your spot color to a postscript file and convert it to a PDF with acrobat.

 

If the spot color does not appear in the separations menu, the color has been incorrectly defined.

 

Many designers will duplicate their art and create a new file if the fifth color is a varnish or a special overprint effect.

When silkscreening many designers also may create a separate file to undercoat a design with white. This first white plate prevents the silk screen inks from "falling into" the color of the fabric. It is also often used when silkscreening on glass (soda, beer bottles) .

 

Rarely, a designer will create two black plates, one for process images and another for type. This allows for careful on press color adjustment of delicate images.

 

I have seen many web experts struggle with the print process and with spot color, varnish, metallic inks and customized regional variations of print pieces. The biggest problems are "not converting all art to CMYK" and trying to "use low resolution web images for print." 

 

I would strongly suggest you contact the printer directly and find out his precise requirements. They very greatly from place to place.

Many have custom printer drivers and devise definitions for PDF construction for use on their specific equipment. 

 

If the job is screwed up, the designer will be blamed if they have not closely coordinated with the printer.

 

Some prefer to do their own RGB to CMYK conversions. Some flexographic printing is ALL spot colors.

 

I hope this is of some help.

Thanks

spam beyond belief

 Marked as spam, and posts are deleted

If you have found that the above post is not helpful, please comment.

Your problem should be readily resolved. The details of your difficulty are dependent on your experience.

If your problem persists, we can find a resolution.

 

I await your reply.

Thanks

Res. sir,

i am using coral draw x7 and want to separate pdf file containing 5 colour

5th colour should be save separately....HELP ME OUT

9971864823

Hi arvindmishra_dp... can you put the file into Dropbox and send us the link so we can take a look at it.  I don't use Coreldraw so send it as an editable eps if possible.  Hopefully Herbert can help you, but I will try to take a look... any Coreldraw experts out there who can help?

Hi arvindmishra_dp,

This request for help on color separations is under the Adobe Illustrator thread.

It should be posted under the Corel Draw thread where it will be seen by Corel mavens.

There are many design professionals that use Corel Draw but far fewer than those who use Illustrator.

 

Once again, communication with the printer is essential.

Corel does an excellent job with separations if the colors are correctly defined.

If the fifth color needs to be supplied as a separate file, what is it actually for?

Usually spot colors are part of the original CMYK file, and need to be for trapping.

You should be able to duplicate the file and delete every thing that is not the spot color.

For packaging, die lines are usually on a separate layer, easily turned on and off for printing.

 

Many small printers do not support Corel or (shudder) Publisher.

So PDF files from them need to be good.

 

If you send us an EPS file, make sure to turn the type to outlines and flatten transparency.

I worked with Corel Draw a very, very long time ago. The shelf life of my knowledge has long expired.

I no longer work on a PC, the grief quotient is just too high when compared to Macs.

 

P.S. it is great to hear from lizonil. Her presence brightens any room.

http://product.corel...tml&single=true

 

A quick google search shows many tutorials online for Corel Draw color separations.

You are not the only one who struggles with "separation anxiety".