Spot color effect
- Started
- Last post
- 16 Responses
- versa
would you all suggest going 2 spot colors up or down to achieve that "faint" but recognizable look of one color on top of a very similar color...
this is the first time i have tried to get that effect in a print job, and i don't want the contrast to be too faint, to the point of it being too hard to see the type even at a large size...on my epson's print tests, one color difference up or down seems decent for the effect, but i am wary projecting for offset
- Duane0
Why not simply overprint the inks instead of faking an overprinted look? You should be able to get draw downs of the inks to see what the overprinting will look like. It's kind of hard to know without understanding your layout.
- versa0
well, i want the text that i speak of to be lighter on a darker color ... tho i think you are absolutely right if i were to go darker on lighter
- Duane0
Got it...you could still achieve that by printing a big solid in the light color and then overprinting another solid with knocked out type. The type would be lighter than the background.
- Duane0
By the way, here's a poster design I did a few months ago using tons of overprinting. The composited poster is in the bottom right corner. The rest just shows the artwork for each plate. The first image shows the bottom artwork which was printed in opaque inks.
- DutchBoy0
testpilot,
your shit rocks, as ever!
- versa0
nice poster ! what tint is that violet color set at ?
i am still a bit confused... do you think that setting text as an example, two spot shades lighter than the backgrouind is on top of, would print strangely, or need to be stroke trapped in a unique way... and still be too close of a shade to create a faint, but legible effect
(sorry for my inexperience with this)
- Duane0
Yeah, I would be worried about the trapping. It may not show up, but I get anal about that sort of thing. You could end up with a slightly darker halo around the type.
All the colors of that poster design (with the exception of the base yellow and blue) were actually tinted dull and gloss UV varnishes. I had them custom mixed to match PMS colors.
Oh...and thanks Janne!
- versa0
testpilot - have you had good results overprinting text in one color on top of a background of the same exact color, to achieve a slightly darker text color, or does it tend to get drastically darker, in quick test prints, it seems drastically darker
- Duane0
It all depends on the color you select. For example, if you overprint yellow text with magenta you get red text. It's really hard to approximate in a comp (although sometimes using multiply in Illustrator gives you a good idea). Ink draw downs will do the trick though. Ask your printer to do draw downs of the colors you have chosen so you can judge the overprint effect. The charge is nominal in comparison to a botched print run.
- versa0
well again, i really just want to play within a 3 shade spot difference in color ... what exactly is a draw down ? i am just doing simulate overprinting on my quick print tests, and then overprint previewing on screen
thx !
- zedvox0
i had good luck with printing a poster
it was blood red background and a slightly brighter red ink.
it was aclass projects and no budget was only usign a plotter.....i had to adjust the colors on screen a number to time it was a few shades brighter on screen (duh)but it works.
good lukc versa!and really good work testpilot. i cannot wait to start getting my hands dirty with the press :)
- Duane0
A draw down is basically just the ink you chose on the paper you chose. They are usually 4x5 inches or so and just have a rectangle of ink on it. Usually you can have the printer put down the color you want and then add a coating (aqueous or ultraviolet) to show you what the ink finish will look like. They also can overlap two colors on the draw down to show overprint. With this process you can perfect your color specifying without going to press. They are particularly helpful in situations like yours or when you are using metallics and flourescents or a strange printing substrate (paper).
- Duane0
Oh, and they are called draw downs because the printer puts a small glob of ink on a spatula and draws it down to the edge of the paper.
- versa0
thx for the advice... i am thinking i will go with text that is at least 2 spot shades lighter on a darker background, e.g. pantone 449 U as a background color, with text at 451 U on top, and then tweak from there, perhaps with a requested "draw down"....now i just need to trap it correctly to prevent any haloing which would make me very sad ;(
- Duane0
That should work fine. Just bust the printers balls on the trapping. A good printer should be able to hold it.
Glad to help.
- zedvox0
do post the results versa!! :)