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1. Re: Proper File Setup for Logo when used in Flexography or Screenprinting
tman69 Jan 24, 2014 12:11 AM (in response to jethrodesign)dont use Pantone Black C--just use the CMYK color space and just plain 'black'--for white objects just color them 'white' (never set white to overprint)
dont set background colors to overprint (see attached) I put a red block behind things so maybe you can see the difference
(it's the responsibility of the print provider to make the 'white' print as white and it's your resposibility to build your files as you want them to appear) as you can see from the example on the right side, the white letters will not be white when printed on a colored background--but the ones on the left will be!
I hope this gets you on the right path...
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2. Re: Proper File Setup for Logo when used in Flexography or Screenprinting
jethrodesign Jan 24, 2014 12:45 PM (in response to tman69)Hi, thanks for the reply.
Yes, that's the typical way we might do something if doing traditional printing (offset), and this is assuming a white paper/sheet. And if this were just something we were doing internally, we might approach it this way since we could simply have a conversation with the printer to let him know "print the K channel as Pantone Black and be sure to print everything 'whte' with an opaque white ink".
But again, these are master files that will be distrubuted worldwide and output by a myriad of printers. It will be out of our hands, which is why we want to make it as 'safe' and industry-standard as possible.
Here's one of the threads explaing the use of white objects on a top layer set to overlay.
- Anyone else in the prepress or printing world (or with a lot of experience in either in regards to flexo or screenprinting) that wants to expand here?
Thanks!
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3. Re: Proper File Setup for Logo when used in Flexography or Screenprinting
DrStrik9 Jan 24, 2014 1:55 PM (in response to jethrodesign)I've prepped a lot of flexo, all art created in AI, and a majority of it trapped in AI.
Each application of logo artwork for flexo needs to be evaluated separately, because of final size, trap amount, number of colors, background color, etc. -- So the "safe" route would be to just release the logo file in its simple form(s) without trapping, without white (in most cases), and let the flexo prep folks do their own trapping and addition of white. Of course, in your guidelines, you would want to show examples of how the logo would work in flexo, in various situations, including the use of opaque white when warranted. But generally, I would recommend releasing the logo without all the flexo prep stuff included. Othewise you would be taking resposibility for success or failure of your particular flexo implementation in situations you cannot predict.
BTW, in really complex flexo applications, with many spot colors, including opaque white, it is almost always preferred to put the white areas on a top layer and make it overprint. But whether you do it that way or another way, will depend entirely on your production style in AI.
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4. Re: Proper File Setup for Logo when used in Flexography or Screenprinting
jethrodesign Jan 24, 2014 7:10 PM (in response to DrStrik9)Thanks for the reply! We were beginning to feel this way the more we thought about it.
We had made a version of the logo with all of the white content (basically just a big white shape to 'fill in' the knocked out areas) and put it on a top layer, set a generic 'Spot White' color (0C 0M 0Y 0K) and set it to 'overprint'. So we may have something ready to go if we end up needing it.
But we know if anyone tried to use this in a document over any other color it would fail. And a basic preview would probably confuse people.So we'll probably just make the 1-color PMS version with the 'knocked-out' areas empty. Then in the style guide we'll have to specify that this should only be used on white backgrounds or to contact us (or the client) for a master that could be used for flexo/screenprinting on a non-white background. Maybe it won't happen too often (if at all).
Just trying to cover all bases. It's so much easier when we know WE'LL be the designers and can work with the end printer. Challenging to try to make a fail-safe system for other designers/agents around the world.
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5. Re: Proper File Setup for Logo when used in Flexography or Screenprinting
jdanek Jan 25, 2014 5:46 PM (in response to jethrodesign)That's what makes the "style guide" all that important. I have worked on several style guides, but I cannot remember dictating how a file is supposed to be interpreted. You take most of the guess work out of the equation by showing several different applications of the logo and its usage, but stopping short of supplying the separations on disk. Most good production houses would love to get style guides to follow. However, each application is different and each shop will be different. Sometimes, it may not be the greatest idea to print a flood White, especially in silk screen because it may crack. Sometimes a trapped or choked 2-color system is better depending on the screen frquency, fabric, and inks. You may not want to dictate which without knowing the print vendor's capabilities. If I were you, I'd recommend, in the style guide, that whoever is preparing files using said logo should consult with the print vendor before doing any file prep. Supplying the logo in its simplest form and also showing different usage scenarios is the best way to proceed. Otherwise, you could be, as already suggested, creating problems where they shouldn't exist. You should and, probably have, supply all of your contact info should anyone down the road needs to contact you, the creator. Since there is a lot of confusion regarding overprint white, I've setup logo files using process colors ( for instance 100% K = Pantone Black [ or an appropriate plastisol color ]; 100% C = White [ set the Cyan to overprint ]. The artwork would reflect that scenario and colors would be called out in the instructions for printing. In the style guide, you could show the separations and the final printed usage ( Black + White on a colored garment ). But again, this is too much information for a style guide. The illustration of the logo in use should be enough. You should dedicate a few pages to Spot color and process color applications, as well as specialty printing applications like flexo and silkscreen ( which are a little different in their approaches to printing ). As you've described the 2-color, two spot colors, I see no problem setting the two to overprint as lone as they are Spot color separations. But, as already discussed, you shouldn't go that far. Not for this, not for a style guide and you only set yourself up for trouble trying to cover every possible application...can't be done as you've already found out.
Message was edited by: jdanek

