9 Replies Latest reply on Oct 4, 2011 11:06 AM by Grant H

    print to sticker problem, eps

    davegibson2@gmail.com
    davegibson2@gmail.com Oct 4, 2011 5:33 AM

      I am having an Illustrator design printed on a “sticker” to be affixed to a metal plate for outdoor use. The printer requested eps. I requested a test print and the resulting image had artifacts. For instance, there are light shaded boxes around some things (drop shadows incorrect?). Also, some of the stroked fonts had little open circles on the corners, like it was selected. When I print from Illustrator to local paper printers, the image is fine. I guess I need to speak to the printer, but for now I’m going through a third party. The original is 9”x12”, CMYK. I saved as “Illustrator CS4 EPS”, transparent, tiff (8-bit color), and under “transparency” I probably changed the preset to “high resolution” (can’t remember). From what I read in other posts, EPS is a black box for a printer that doesn’t understand postscript and that pdf would be better. Also, I read that maybe I should be using process or spot colors (couldn’t figure out which). Any guidance would be most appreciated!

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        • 1. Re: print to sticker problem, eps
          [scott] Level 6
          [scott] Oct 4, 2011 7:51 AM (in response to davegibson2@gmail.com)

          There's little anyone here can help with from the sounds of things.

           

          Wether or not EPS, spot color, or processes colors work well is all up to your particular printer and the method of production. It's pretty rare to have "artifacts" when printing a vector EPS file... However, an EPS can merely be a raster file in an EPS wrapper. (Photoshop saved EPS files too) EPS is simply a container format and can house either vector or raster content, or both.

          1 person found this helpful
          • 2. Re: print to sticker problem, eps
            Wade_Zimmerman Level 6
            Wade_Zimmerman Oct 4, 2011 8:22 AM (in response to [scott])

            To add to Scott's response suggest that printer try a pdf instead or an AI file send them all 3.

            • 3. Re: print to sticker problem, eps
              John Danek Level 4
              John Danek Oct 4, 2011 8:32 AM (in response to davegibson2@gmail.com)

              The .eps file was saved with transparency?  Typically, the .eps is "flattened" upon output.  These artifacts could be RIP errors.  Sounds like a Postscript interpreter problem.  Any Layers?  The font stroke problem sounds like an open path situation...very weird.  It's a relief you asked for a proof before the job was processed and printed.  I'd be interested in hearing what the print vendor has to say.

              1 person found this helpful
              • 4. Re: print to sticker problem, eps
                Grant H Level 4
                Grant H Oct 4, 2011 9:14 AM (in response to davegibson2@gmail.com)

                hmnn: if you are the printers client... don't let him dictate what file you must send (baring profiles, setup and so forth... maybe). You run the risk of a bad end result. You supply him a properly exported PDF and he must worry abot ripping/printing it. (he prob using coral draw to play out...)

                G

                • 5. Re: print to sticker problem, eps
                  davegibson2@gmail.com Level 1
                  davegibson2@gmail.com Oct 4, 2011 9:54 AM (in response to [scott])

                  When I printed the eps to a laser color printer, it had artifacts also, but different ones, it had some thin lines in it. Thanks for the info.

                  • 6. Re: print to sticker problem, eps
                    davegibson2@gmail.com Level 1
                    davegibson2@gmail.com Oct 4, 2011 9:59 AM (in response to John Danek)

                    There was a transparency option in Illustrator save as, I believe it was the default. I just left it. Tons of layers in the drawing. There are 18 major layers (each with about 10-12 layers) but only one of the 18 is visiible at a time. They all share a "common" layer that was about 10 layers also). Is there something I need to do flatten the image before saving as eps or pdf? Sorry, I'm an amateur! I'm making tee-signs for our disc golf course, that is why 18 layers.

                    • 7. Re: print to sticker problem, eps
                      Grant H Level 4
                      Grant H Oct 4, 2011 10:14 AM (in response to davegibson2@gmail.com)

                      you need to create a trasparency preset to flatten and convert (do u know how to do this? very easy). then when u save as EPS choose the transparency preset that you created...

                       

                      G

                      • 8. Re: print to sticker problem, eps
                        davegibson2@gmail.com Level 1
                        davegibson2@gmail.com Oct 4, 2011 10:57 AM (in response to Grant H)

                        Agreed, I'm the printer's clilent, I need to meet the person/company doing the printing. I believe it is a small setup and was very surprised when my friend (the inbetween) brought me the sample print and he said the printer didn't have any comments or suggestions! So, I'll talk to hime, or, go to a place around the corner, a big business for our town, and surely they will be able to help me. Now, Grant, suppose eps is what I need, I see where to create the transparency preset. Would I change any of the options? The balance is set at 75. I'm not sure what that is doing, but I can read it. Thanks!

                        • 9. Re: print to sticker problem, eps
                          Grant H Level 4
                          Grant H Oct 4, 2011 11:06 AM (in response to davegibson2@gmail.com)

                          vector     100%
                          line art and Text   400 ppi (over kill)
                          Gradient and Mesh  300 ppi 
                          Convert all strokes to outlines  checked
                          All text to Outlines checked

                           

                          name it GrantsSolution

                           

                          click ok, and now select it on save as EPS...


                          G