Transparency in Illustrator

[Dami]

I have a printer pulling out what little hair he has left because of a file I've sent to him for printing.

To preface this, most of my experience is based in Photoshop and web production and I've been "dinking around" in Illustrator. I can do the basic stuff, but it doesn't act like PS and I'm really confused about what I've done and why what I see on screen can't be printed.

I've used transparency and drop shadows and I don't understand why, if the program says I can use them and the result looks like want it, the printer says I can't. (I don't know enough about this to even know how to phrase my question.) Any insights you can provide would be fantastic.

TIA

[Scott]

The problem with Illustrator is at version 9 they added all the drop shadow and transparency stuff to increase usability when creating web content. However, most of these features need thorough understanding of the printing process if you are going to use them on press.

It's hard to say why your piece can't be reproduced without seeing the file Dami (email me the file if you want jolt[at]pixeladdiction[dot]com). Most often the problem arises when using two colors and then applying blurs or glows, these items ALWAYS get converted to CMYK, at least in current AI version. Is your piece spot color?

[Dami]

Thanks, Jolt. I'll get to it tomorrow.

I think the biggest problem is the wrong tool in the wrong person's hands. I basically know nothing about the print process. I try to help out our designer when things get busy, but perhaps I'm making more problems for him than I'm solving. ;)

I haven't a clue even what you mean by spot color. I occasionally get that spot color warning when I save a file, [color=wheat]but I usually just ignore it.[/color]

[Scott]

I got the file Dami and I don't see anything inherently wrong with it. It separated CMYK for me just fine. I guess, in order to possibly figure out why the printer was having trouble I need more information on the project and how the file is used. Was it placed into a layout file? What layout application? Was the job supposed to print 4 color?

[Dave]

Isn't there something about pixel resolution between the image and the printer that can cause problems? I seem to remember something being said about it.

But you know I know nothing :)

[Scott]

yeah, but not with vector files Dave. Vector (Illustrator) files are resolution independent for the most part.

[Dami]

No, it was sent as an eps straight out of AI10. Usually these guys (printers) are pretty good, so I don't know why they're having problems then. We're having a vinyl sign made (roughly 3.75 x 3.5) for a trade show booth, so I don't know what process they use. We eliminated the drop shadow effect and put in a shadow layer.

See? They have the wrong horse pulling this cart.

[Scott]

Ahhh.. vinyl. Normally vinyl requires hard edges. That may be the problem entirely. The soft edged drop shadow may not be reproducible on a vinyl sign.

[Dami]

Thanks, Jolt! I'll bet that is what the problem is. I appreciate your help.

[burndog]

You are 100% correct Jolt, signmaking software has a tough time importing eps and AI files that have anything fancy. Gradations are hit and miss at the best of times and even a simple outline can be completely messed up when imported.