Monotone Printing

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Hi in ID CS2.

Working with PS7 also to create monotone graphics to put into ID.

I would like to print in one color, specifically reflex blue. I have changed my images to be monotone for this color. I have some blue rectangles that are reflex blue in ID & also the text.

I am wondering if there is a certain way to prepare this file if you only want to print using one color. I'd like to export a .pdf from ID.

This is one page, letter size with a .125 bleed all around.

Thank you.
Jules

[unknown]

Sounds to me like you've already done so. To make sure, open the
separations preview panel and turn off Reflex Blue...the page should go
blank.

Bob

[P***@adobeforums.com]

The only reason to prepare one-color work in anything but black is to see it in color on screen or in a digital proof (digital printers don't do spot color, though, so reflex blue isn't going to be accurate anyway).

Black (with grayscale) files can be printed in any ink color you tell the printer. :)

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Yes, the page goes blank.

So I should leave the reflex blue as a spot color? Otherwise it will turn into a 4 color job if I make it process, right?

In the preflight under Colors & inks, it only shows PANTONE Reflex Blue PC. I guess that's a good sign.

Thank you Rob!

Jules

[J***@adobeforums.com]

I am waiting to hear back if they will use digital printing. The person dealing with the printer said it will be cheaper to use one color. I thought doing a 4-C job digitally would be the same price. If they do do digital, what should I do about my monotone images?

Thanks for your help too Peter!

Jules

[J***@adobeforums.com]

What do I put for the Color Destination under the Output when I export a .pdf?

[unknown]

Just use the press setting a don't touch a thing on the color settings.

Bob

[P***@adobeforums.com]

The cost will be highly dependent on the quantity you run.

The only way you'll get a true Reflex blue is on a press, so you'll have to pay the cost of one plate, and probably a press cleaning charge for the change to spot color, so the cost to get to the first copy may be $75 -$100, but from then on the cost is all paper, ink, and time, so adding another 1000 prints will be fairly inexpensive. If the color MUST be reflex blue this is the only option.

If you have a short run, and you can live with a simulation of the color (ask to see a sample), digital will be less expensive. There is no plate, and no press cleaning, so the first copy may cost anywhere from $1 -$25 or so, depending on what they charge to process your file, but from then on there is not much economy of scale -- you still pay for paper and fixed cost per "click" for the operation of the machine, which is typically higher than the cost of ink and press time -- so, as the quantity grows, at some point the cost will be the same, and larger numbers will be more expensive than litho.

Peter

[P***@adobeforums.com]

For destination you can "Leave color unchanged" and use the working profile. Spot color won't change anyway (as long as you don't convert to RGB), but if the file is set up as black only you don't want to have a color conversion that will generate 4 plates.

Peter

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Thank you for your information.

I do not have the option to Leave Color Unchanged. Is this the same as No Color Conversion?

[P***@adobeforums.com]

No color conversion would be the same.

[J***@adobeforums.com]

If you have a short run, and you can live with a simulation of the color
(ask to see a sample), digital will be less expensive.




Peter- If I do end up doing a simulation, will I have to convert everything to cmyk & use the cmyk values of the reflex blue?

Thank you.
Jules

[unknown]

Just a warning...converting Reflex Blue to four color will leave you
with something closer to purple than blue.

Bob

[P***@adobeforums.com]

You don't need to do the conversion, the RIP or print engine will do that, unless you want to try to come up with something more pleasing than the purple Bob mentioned (it's pretty bad), in which case you should change the definition by double clicking the swatch and changing the color mode to CMYK in the swatch definition dialog. Then move the sliders around until you are as happy as you can get, which won't be very since you can't simulate the metallic content.