Registration Color ONLY Illustrator 9 art

Yes, I want Registration to print on every color plate... but I do NOT want an additional Black plate.

Let me give you the specific example I was working on today.

I have a two-color QuarkXPress document with text and art in PMS186 and PMS294 only. When I print separations, I get three plates -- 186, 294 and a Black plate which features only the Illustrator artwork (my slug) which SHOULD be only Registration. The slug also prints on all plates, as Registration "color" should. Interestingly, if I make the slug artwork all, say, Magenta, it separates correctly (only on the Magenta plate). But if I make it all Registration, I always get a Black plate when I separate from QuarkXPress. Which is why I wonder if it is simply not possible to create an Illustrator EPS illustration with only Registration and no "real" colors.

Is that clearer?

Thanks again -
-Dorion

Yes, that is clearer. I'm thinking that there has to be something in the document that has black in it. A hidden layer, an empty text box, or something.

If you want you could e-mail it to me, I'll take a look at it tomorrow. If you choose to send the Quark file also.

dholmes@noteworthy.com

My asumption is that it needs to carry a actual color in when placed and the Registration cannot exist on its own in the graphic. (otherwise, no colors will come in) Illustrator takes the route with any registration colored element, black is introduced.

Now, this is just a hypothetical guess and is NOT based upon any information I am aware of. It is just a guess for the behaviour.

Note: Any prepress operator worth their salt will know not to image blank channels.

This is one prepress operator who appreciates your effort in making a tidy file. Unfortunately, their is only so much one can do. B)

I think you lost me, John. But see if this is what you're thinking...

I turn off all colors in Quark that I don't want. But, we also have a tag line we type in with the job number, date, product, and color names in the Quark file. Which part of this tag line would be in Registration. So, if I chose to print all colors separtated, even if it was a one spot color job, I would get the C,M,Y,K plates as well. But I always uncheck the unwanted colors in Quark.

Could this be your problem, Dorion?

Now that I think about it, I've never tried to print a spot color with a registration through Quark with all colors turned on. Good test for tomorrow morning! Good point, John.