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Prepare Spot Data in Adobe Illustrator

Introduction

This section explains how to prepare images that include spot data with vector-based image editing applications such as Adobe Illustrator®. In order to print with white ink or varnish, you must first have an ONYX profile (media model) properly configured for the use of spot data.

To add spot colour data to your image in Illustrator, you need to create a layer within the image as a new spot channel. It is possible to have more than one spot element in an image, but each element must be on the same spot channel, and therefore have the same opacity level, or else ONYX Thrive will treat the saved document as a separation file. Since the Arizona printers with white ink or varnish support two spot channels, you can create one spot channel for Spot 1 data and another for Spot 2 data. CMYK is the preferred mode as the actions required for spot data creation are simpler than those for RGB.

NOTE

You can use vector-based image editing applications other than Illustrator as long as it has the Overprint feature and the ability to create a spot colour.

About this task

The first step in the white ink workflow is to prepare your source image to use the spot channel. The spot data must be designed entirely on a separate channel (either as a spot channel layer or a custom spot colour) to be recognized by the ONYX RIP. The name you assign to this spot channel layer or custom spot colour must be Spot 1 or Spot 2 and is the most important part of preparing the file. This named channel allows RIP-Queue to determine that the data in the source image needs to be output to the spot channel, in this case the white ink or varnish channel.

In preparing your file, only you can define what you want to print with “white ink” or "varnish" as part of your design and assign the colour as described in this document. In Illustrator, the white ink data can be simple or complex and can range from vector shapes and text to placed bitmap images.

Use the following steps to configure an Adobe Illustrator file for use with white ink:

Procedure

  1. In Illustrator, ensure that the Swatches tab is visible (under the Window menu click Swatches to view).
  2. Click the arrow on the Swatches tab to display the Swatches menu.
  3. Select New Swatch from the Swatches menu to open the Add Swatch dialogue.
  4. Within the Add Swatch dialogue, enter the following information:
    New Swatch
    New Swatch Name

    • Name – Enter the name Spot 1 or Spot 2.

      Note: For instructions on how to use a naming convention other than Spot 1 or Spot 2, refer to the sub-section at the end of this section "Naming Your Spot Data".

    • Colour Type – Use the drop-down menu to select Spot Colour.

    • Swatch Colour – Use the sliders to adjust the swatch colour. You can make this colour any value that will help you see the design better.

  5. Click OK to save your changes and close the Add Swatch dialogue. You should now have a new Spot colour in your swatch palette, which is indicated with a small dot on bottom right side of swatch.
    Colour Swatch
    Spot Swatch
  6. Use the new swatch for any objects or fills which need to be printed with white ink. Clicking on new spot colour swatch will make this the default fill colour for this document. Select element you would like to be treated with Spot information and choose the fill swatch. See the example below.
    Select Spot Fill
  7. Once you’ve configured your source image with white ink or varnish as your new spot colour, save your work.
Parent topic:
Prepare White Ink/Varnish Print Jobs
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