help with gradients using 2 spot colors

[Karen_Gauthier@adobeforums.com]

I have a logo created in Illustrator 10 that has a rectangle area using a gradient created with 2 pantone colors. I would like the logo to be able to be printed using the 2 pantone inks rather than converting to CMYK. Can this be done using Illustrator or do I need to go into Photoshop and use channels or duotone to achieve this? I have read somewhere that Illustr.CS can do this??

I had initially created the overall gradient effect uisng two separate gradients with each pantone blending to 0% of itself and then butting the two gradients together (which I know could have printed 2 color successfully), but the client wanted the colors to blend into each other.

You can view the logo here:
<http://www.gauthierdesign.com/spinectr/spinectr_spmdtoc_logo.jpg>

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

thanks,
Karen

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

Illustrator 10 can do this as well. The only caveats are that either the separations will need to be output from Illustrator or the file will need to be saved as EPS to be placed into another dtp application for output. NOT ai or pdf.

Illustrator CS allows the use of formats ai or pdf to retain the spot color either printing directly from the pdf or placing the ai or pdf in dtp applications that fully support the format.

Have you printed separations to see how it separates?
Is this image being placed into Quark? (make sure pms names matches EXACTLY the name displayed in Quark)

As to the two separate gradients method, instead of butting up, have them overlap and set the top element to overprint. Overprint preview mode needs to be turned on for accurate screen preview. (or use multiply so overprint preview does not need to be on but this introduces transparency in the document with all the spookiness it entails)

[Karen_Gauthier@adobeforums.com]

John, thank you so much for the response. I actually hadn't thought of trying to overlap with overprint using the two separate gradients. I've tried this and it appears that may be the ticket. I will send this version to the printer and see what they think.

I am creating all the bcards and letterhead files in Illustrator (saved as eps)rather than InDesign (I don't use Quark) as I had thought that would be easiest.

Your input is much appreciated!

Karen

[James_E._Talmage@adobeforums.com]

NOT ai or pdf.




You can save a file containing spot-to-spot grads from AI10 or AICS, open them in Acrobat 6 Pro, and print seps.

JET

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

Sorry about that, James is correct that it will save correctly as ai or pdf and it will also be able to place into InDesign correctly.

I was misremembering a bug with 10 that will not allow a spot+cmyk gradient to be saved out to ai or pdf from version 10. It works in CS but this bit of info has nothing to do with your question since it is spot to spot.

Thanks for the catch JET.

[Karen_Gauthier@adobeforums.com]

Thanks guys.

So, since I had it originally set up as a spot-spot gradient and saved as an eps rather than ai or pdf, is that why the printer told me it wouldn't work? I'm a little confused why they're throwing it back at me to do something. Maybe they don't know any more than I do, hmmm...it's the client's choice to use this printer, so I'm stuck. It's always nicer to have a decent prepress dept. who can advise on issues like this.

Again, thanks for the help.

Karen

[John_Kallios@adobeforums.com]

If placed into InDesign, there should be no problem. If they place into Xpress, then they need to make sure the pms names match exactly or there could be issues with their workflow.

With your finished artwork, if you are able to print separations correctly out of InDesign, then your artwork is set up correctly.

As to your printer, it may be user error or equipment related. If equipment related, they should not be telling you to "fix" it because what they really are telling you is that they need to employ a workaround to output correctly. Unless they tell you exactly what the workaround is, you could be going around in circles for a while. So, talk with your prepress, let them know you can output separations correctly (outputting through Acrobat distiller is a good benchmark to use) and then you can discuss what is needed to be done to output without pointing fingers at each other as to who is to blame.

Except, if you need to charge your client more due to the printer's inadequacies. There are many, many, many other print shops that not only would love the business, but can output artwork like this without issues. (my shop included :))

[Karen_Gauthier@adobeforums.com]

Yes, in placing the spot-spot gradient file in InDesign, the seps look great. Maybe I should just build all the files in InDesign rather than in Illustrator for them, argh... Although, they probably don't have InDesign CS. Time for another phone call.

You've been most helpful.