Prepressforums.com - from Cyan+black to Spot+black in a mixed PDF, how?

Gusgsm · #1 (**permalink**) 11-24-2005, 11:50 PM

I have a mate that wants to make this:

A set of Mixed colours (multi ink, if you prefer) formed by black and one Pantone (300 C if you like). A hand book of about 500 pages. InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator CS1.

How on Earth can you prepare a final PDF that has only two plates (black and 300-C) and uses mixed inks (here comes the rub) as well in Illustrator files?

We know how to make that in Photoshop and inDesign and we know a way to make it in illustrator (using the Cyan instead of 300-C).

I thought that it would be possible to make it so by proxy in Illustrator and aftwerwards swap change the Cyan plate for 300-C (Acrobat and PitStop, I believed). But I have seen that's not possible (or easy). Some Illustrator files include gradientes from 30C+30K to 30C+100K and the cannot be reached via Acrobat-PitStop to swap the Cyan. It is impossible to use the "ink administrator" (sorry, i am translating from Spanish-version software) in InDesign to change Cyan for 300-C either...

We are stuck

ops: . Is making Cyan+black and then printing Cyan as 300-C the only way?

Thanks a lot

Rickyp_uk · #2 (**permalink**) 11-25-2005, 05:12 AM

Artpro would sort the illustrator files then they could be saved out as pdf. Might take some time though

Rickyp_uk · #3 (**permalink**) 11-25-2005, 05:14 AM

Just thought can you do a colour swap in your workflow?

abc · #4 (**permalink**) 11-25-2005, 05:28 AM

I'd be interested to play with this file.

I think we could do it very quickly.

I'd like to have a play.

:P

Gusgsm · #5 (**permalink**) 11-25-2005, 06:26 AM

I'll post a short light-weight example pdf next Monday. Thanks

DCurry · #6 (**permalink**) 11-25-2005, 11:54 AM

If the file is being laid out in InDesign, use the Ink Manager to merge PMS 300 into the Cyan plate before making your PDF. Short, sweet, and easy!

Gusgsm · #7 (**permalink**) 11-28-2005, 01:36 AM

Quote:

If the file is being laid out in InDesign, use the Ink Manager to merge PMS 300 into the Cyan plate before making your PDF. Short, sweet, and easy!

The idea is nice, but, as I said:

Quote:

It is impossible to use the "ink administrator" (sorry, i am translating from Spanish-version software) in InDesign to change Cyan for 300-C either...

... Unless you imply that you must work by color proxy with Cyan+Black and that swapping Cyan for 300 C cannot be done.

PS. Still working in the sample. A bit busy Monday

DCurry · #8 (**permalink**) 11-28-2005, 03:55 AM

Like I said - merge the PMS color INTO the Cyan plate, not the other way around.