Setting up a spot color file????? Need Help ASAP 1

[benjibighorn]

I have created a file using a CMYK format for normal printing, however I have a graphic logo with two Pantone colors incorporated in the logo. The logo was created in Illustrator. How do I bring the logo over onto the Photoshop file while still retaining the Pantone colors? I do not want them to convert into the CMYK format.

So for future reference... When I am setting up my Photoshop document that is meant to be 4 color; 2 process colors and 2 PMS colors what Color Mode should I set the document at? I am just unsure how to set up the file so that all the colors are separated and the spot colors are identified. Thanks for any help you can give me.

-BBH†

 

[apepp]

...spot colors in photoshop are created using alpha channels, by default these channels overprint the other channels (CMYK), selections are therefore required to knockout holes in the CMYK plates, otherwise you end up having a mix of inks on press...

...spot work in photoshop does require a good deal of forethought, and quite fiddly to achieve when in use with other channels...

...is it absolutely necessaey to add a vector image to a bitmap image?

...can you not use indesign or illustrator to import you CMYK image and then place the spot color artwork on top?

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...also to add...

...alpha channels are created in the channels palette...

...this is where masks are also stored, by double clicking an alpha channel you can then specify it to be a spot color...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...also when i say 'overprint' above it could also mean underprint, depending on the ink order the printing press will lay down the colors...

Andrew

 

[benjibighorn]

Thanks apepp!
If I was going to place the spot color artwork on top of the Photoshop CMYK file, in Indesign, what do I have to save the spot color artwork as so that Indesign recognizes the spot colors within the artwork. The artwork was created in Illustrator, so could I just save it as an eps or ai file? Which works better?

-BBH†

 

[apepp]

...save as .ai format, any transparency used in .ai can be flattened upon export from indesign...

...you can save as eps from illustrator but the preview in indesign is better with .ai when the screen quality view is set to 'typical', with eps you get a white background unless you have the view quality set to high (which can also slow up indesign with large docs):

view > display > performance > typical

...also with .ai it preserves transparency, with eps you have to flatten transparency in the save as dialog...

...in illustrator ensure your raster effects setting is set to high if you embark on transparent effects such as glows and drop shadows etc:

effect > document raster effects settings

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...to add, make sure you design is on the artboard in illustrator when saving to .ai, if it cuts of the side of the artboard, you also won't see it in indesign...

..also ensure you save with pdf compatible option on (it is on by default) otherwise, again, you won't see it in indesign...

Andrew