Digital Printing?
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- boobs
I'm going to be doing some prints like this from Illustrator files:
I want to print them big (4x5 feet), and I'll have to get them done by a service. How do I control the colors so I get exactly the Pantone color I select? Are there special settings I need to set in Illustrator to get everything just right?
- jackpot0
pick your colour in your Pantone book then match the number to the swatch selection. The Pantone book in Illustrator is in the drop down menu of the Swatches under 'Open Swatch Library' then Colour Book... Simples!
- boobs0
Ummm, I know how to select the Pantone colors in Illy. But, how do I handle the color management and the PDF settings so the stuff comes out of the printer in a good match?
- ask your printer what color space they are using and set your accordinglyian00
- he doesn't need to if he's using Pantone colors, just specify themmonospaced
- in an ideal world.ian00
- Pantone colors don't need to be color managed, ian00. Whoever told you that is an idiot.monospaced
- i disagreeian00
- i'm going with mono on this one, that was the point in the pantone color system....rodzilla
- ian00, Pantone colors are not process, therefor they don't need to be color managed digitally. They are solid inks.monospaced
- agreed, that was the point. does it work as well as it should? unfortunately not. otherwise press checks would not be necessary.ian00
- ...not be necessary.ian00
- The only thing that could change a Pantone color would be a weird substrate: aluminum, colored paper, etc...monospaced
- ian00, you're WRONG, sorrymonospaced
- monospaced, i respectfully disagree. the same spot color will look different one day to the next.ian00
- that's not true, ian00, a Pantone color is the same every day, that's the freakin' POINT of themmonospaced
- monospaced0
The whole point of using the Pantone system is that you DON'T have to deal with color management. The color should appear exactly as it does in the book. Enjoy.
- rodzilla0
separations? and only have the colors you need printed in your color palette?
Maybe its because I haven't done a lot of digital printing or the printers I work with are small time, but I thought digital was process?
- I thought so too. What digital printer allows you to use Pantone colors?monospaced
- ian000
You are going to want to use a spot to process guide. digital printers don't print spot colors. when you take a spot pantone and translate it to a CMYK color there are going to be some slight shifts.
- yes, this is true.rodzilla
- it will give you the CMYK mix so that it gives you a closure output than illy does when it converts it to CMYKrodzilla
- closure=closerrodzilla
- If you go process (CMYK) then you need to adjust output based on color proofs. Ideally go to press and make sure it's how you want it.monospaced
- you want it output.monospaced
- rodzilla0
( . Y . )
- goldielox0
digital printers CAN print spot colors - if they have an HP Indigo (ink based digital printer - not toner based - and you can barely tell the difference between this and offset when looking through a loupe). find someone with this - and pick the right paper!
probably just want to talk this out with your printer as clearly as poss - you have to stay on them and make sure they know EXACTLY what you want.
good luck
- ian000
regardless of how to manage (or not manage) the colors, this is going to look like ass digitally printed at 4'x5'.
- Knuckleberry0
Just ask your printer to do a Pantone match to those colors. Have them do a test so you can verify.... But, like ian00 said there will be crazy banding.
There will be blood, as well.
- why would there be banding if the printer is printing solid pantone colors?monospaced
- If he goes with the digital printing process..I believe is what he is getting at....??rodzilla
- because the way that digital printer lay the "ink" down.ian00
- oh, my digital prints never, ever, ever have banding...you guys must use shit printersmonospaced
- Are you printing 4' x 5' prints mono? Probably not.Knuckleberry
- not quite that large, but close, but it doesn't really matter the size...it shouldn't band at a half-decent printermonospaced
- Stitchy_Lizard0
Ask for a proof! Your pantone will not come out entirely perfect because the file is getting converted to cmyk. You can ask the printer to match it as close as possible, but don't expect it to be perfect. Also the paper stock will also influence the colour of the paper so be prepared to ask questions.
- boobs0
The reason I was thinking of going Digital is I only need one or two of these printed. But if there's another way to go that makes any financial sense at all, I'd be happy to know.
So, in a nutshell, what's the final verdict on what I should do, how I should do it, and who I should call?
- May be more costly but silkscreen would look the best. Solid fields look great in ss.Knuckleberry
- Silkscreen would cost mega for just one or two.boobs
- you get what you pay for :)jimbojones
- jimbojones0
silkscreen.
digital (and I assume nobody would even start an Indigo wor less than 1000 units) would give you banding, color shift and whatnot.
- ********0
I agree, print this using silkscreen, you dont have many colours in there so it would be a much smoother outcome in the end...and possibly cheaper for a small run (100 or so) compared to offset
- goldielox0
wrong - that's the advantage of digital printing. duh?
BUT I just realized i doubt indigo's run sheets up to 4' x 5' anyway.
boobs, i think its time to call a printer and stop asking qbn :):)
- tesmith0
As a digital printer I can tell you this will have to print cmyk and colour management is an issue but in my case, my problem. The Indigo is a small format machine. Demand a finished proof of a small portion of the print to be on the safe side. That being said you should be able to get really close to your pantone colour if your printer has a good machine and rip. Banding will only happen if your file is not built properly.
- boobs0
Thanks for the ace advice, tesmith! Take a wee squeeze!