Outlined Images when printed

[jumpOnCommand]

When I print from illustrator, I get strange results when printing. RGB/CMYK images appear to leave a tinted colour over any vector based object which the [invisible] bounding box may overlap.

Even when I save as a PDF, Acrobat still prints this strange tinted bounding box. The only way I can avoid it is to 'save to web' at 300% (to keep the quality) and then downscale it when I print it (using any application).

The only error I appear to receive in the Summary area of the print dialog is, "Document contains artwork that requires flattening". I don't know if this is the problem or not. Sometimes I get the message telling me Im using spot colours, yet I can't see any being used.

I've been using Illustrator for 5 yrs, but only even noticed this problem in the last 6 months.

Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks,

jumpOnCommand

 

[jimoblak]

I would suspect that you are not printing to a PostScript printer.

In the last 6 months did you?...

1) change printers
2) change printer drivers
3) start using transparency
4) start or stop color management

 

[jumpOnCommand]

Thanks for your help,

I've changed computer and I'm not sure quite what xolour management is.

I'm printing direct to a Xerox Phaser 8400. Its not a network printer, but would you still recommend I use some sort of print management tool?

Thanks

jumpOnCommand