Spot vs. Process color
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- jerkyjake
I’m a complete novice when it comes to print, but I know you guys are pros, so I’ve come to gain some knowledge here.
I’m turning an infographic I made into poster (http://jacoboneal.com/car-engin...
When I go to save as PDF, Illustrator warns me that using transparency with spot colors can generate unexpected results.
I’ve exported my renders from Blender 3D as transparent PNG images. I think it’s giving me this warning because the blue background is a spot color, as well as other colors in the graphic that may be underneath these transparent PNGs. So do I convert all colors to CMYK process colors? How should I make this file print ready? Or should I just ask the printer?
The printer I want to use is here: https://www.theprintful.com/qual…. They print posters on an Epson Stylus 7900, which I assume will affect my file setup process somehow.
Thanks in advance for any help. You guys have been amazing in the past, and very knowledgable :)
- jerkyjake0
Ooops, looks like the URL got cut off: http://jacoboneal.com/car-engine…
- monoboy0
Spot colours or 'specials' are usually Pantone colours that printers buy specific ink for and print on a single plate. This makes transparency difficult, you'll need to use overprint techniques. They are used to ensure colour matching is consistent across all printed material. It's very expensive and mainly the preserve of big brands where colour is key.
Most folks print CMYK or 'process' colours. This is a standard cost effective printing technique that uses four plates (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) that mix togoether to achieve a large gamut of colour. Results vary from printer to printer and colour matching is difficult.
Setting up artwork as spot colour and exporting a PDF as CMYK will also cause issues. Best change colours to process using Colour Bridge.
Hope that help.
- VectorMasked0
That should be printed with process colours. You have there like 8-9 colours... that's 9 pantone inks, and good luck finding a printer that has presses for all those colours... it would also cost you a lot to print it offset (pantones).
- monospaced0
For that specific piece, using spot colors will serve you well for many reasons. You have large areas of solid color, with extremely thin lines of color running through them, very detailed. Process will work great, no problem, but ADDING a couple of spots—specifically that navy blue—will ensure crisp outlines throughout. If it's all process, at a very close level, you'll see the dot patterns used to create light yellow and green and they won't look great next to the other solids. Spot colors for these will also look great, but don't use more than 2-3 on top of CMYK process for the reasons monoboy pointed out.
- hans_glib0
Everything the others have said is correct.
However your chosen printer is using a ten-colour inkjet, not litho. So while the printer won't be able to print a special colour per se, it offers a wider gamut (range of possible colours) than CMYK.
I'd get in touch with them, show them the file, and ask them how they'd like it set up.
- fadein110
oh dear - I retract my above statement - should have looked at it all closely (its early here)... Bad.
- numero10
This guy might sale some extra book in the meantime
https://twitter.com/Mike_FTW/sta…
- Projectile0
Will the poster animate like that? SWEET!!