Gradient screen CMYK

[Elaine_Klein@adobeforums.com]

We received a LOGO that is 2 spot colors in Illustrator 10.
When we image it, we have the 2 spot colors and a gradient screen that is CMYK. The gradient screen is used as a shadow behind the lettering, and is a spot color on the original Illustrator 10 file. Why does the gradient screen become CMYK when we output seperations?

Elaine

[Jacob_Bugge@adobeforums.com]

Elaine,

I am afraid you will have to be more specific, such as:

Are you using CS?
Is the gradient between the 2 spot colours or what?

[Alexander_Kogan.@adobeforums.com]

....if the gradient is between 2 spot colors, it will be converted to process as there's still no "legal" spot color mixing engine in Illustrator.

If you still need a gradient from one spot color to another (from Spot_1 to Spot_2), it can be done, for example, by duplicating the object in situ, assigning to the bottom one a gradient from Spot_1-100% to Spot_1-0% (or whatever values there were) and to the top one - from Spot_2-0% to Spot_2-100%, respectively. Then set the top one to Overprint Fill. I think that was the way.

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

...if the gradient is between 2 spot colors, it will be converted to process
as there's still no "legal" spot color mixing engine in Illustrator.




This is no longer true since version 9 for gradients.

It is possible to make multi-spot gradients and output correctly. It is also possible to go from spot 1 to spot 2 to cmyk to spot 1 to spot 3 to cmyk to spot 2 and still output correctly. (though why you would want to is beyond me)

The gradient screen is used as a shadow behind the lettering




How exactly is the gradient shadow made? Is it a dropshadow, blend or mesh? These objects do or can have problems with spot color. If it is a gradient fill, how are you determining it converts to process?

[Jacob_Bugge@adobeforums.com]

Elaine?

[Chelan@adobeforums.com]

You can go spot 1 to spot 2 in Illustrator 10, but will need CS to go spot to process in your gradient.

Chelan

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

Chelan

That is not true.

The secret to retaining the spot color in a spot + process gradient is to save out as a eps file in Illustrator 10.

[Chelan@adobeforums.com]

A spot to process gradient separated directly from Illustrator 10.0.x will separate as process.

Chelan

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

Well, to my rip sending separations retains the spot color. Sending to my desktop printers retains the spot color. Printing to separated postscript and distilling also separates the spot color correctly.

If I place the saved out eps file in Xpress and ensure Xpress names the color correctly, I can output separations correctly. If I use Xpress 6 and ensure it names the spot color correctly, I can use deviceN output.

If I place in InDesign 2 or Cs, I can output separations correctly using either InRip separations or separations.

Do you want me to send you a pdf file proofing this?

[Alexander_Kogan.@adobeforums.com]

This is no longer true since version 9 for gradients.




Wow, that's good news :D Thanks, John, I didn't know that. I remember Teri posting about the overprint trick, and I was pretty sure it was about this very problem, and there was no solution aside of creating an overprint object/style. Good to know I was wrong (though it's a shame :) )

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

I remember Teri posting about the overprint trick, and I was pretty sure
it was about this very problem, and there was no solution aside of creating
an overprint object/style.




I remember Teri posting a while back regarding a blend between two spot colors. I wonder if you are remembering that.

Good to know I was wrong (though it's a shame )




Do what I do, Blame Canada. :) (or pretend it never happened any deny any existence of it. Which I also do ;))

Which reminds me, I have not seen Teri post in a while. :(

[Chelan@adobeforums.com]

Are you talking about a placed/linked EPS in Illustrator, or a gradient that was created in Illustrator and resides directly in the Illustrator file?

Chelan

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

A gradient created in Illustrator and resides within Illustrator.

Illustrator 10 does not support deviceN output. (inrip) But, when outputting as separations, it will separate correctly.

When saving out to place into another dtp application, eps must be used. The spot is not retained when saving to pdf thus making placing .ai format unusable for retaining the spot in the gradient.

If you wish me to send you sample documents as well as the separations, say the workd and I will send them.