Exporting to .eps for printers: embedded image formats query

[distendo]

Newbie to this forum. Hope I'm asking a sensible question, here!

UsingCorelDraw 9, CMYK throughout,TIFF bitmaps, exporting documents to EPS for sending to the commercial printers.

If I want to give a TIFF imagetransparency, Ican mask it.

However, it would be much easier if I could use Corel Photopaint's own format (.cpt -which I understand is aversion or 'extension'of the TIFF format). Since the graphic is embedded within the .eps export, I was wondering whether it madeany practicaldifference to the end result, as far as the printers are concerned.

In other words, if the printers do not have software which can open (or import) .cpt files, would these cause a problemif embedded in an .eps file?

[PrintDriver]

Keyare is the real CorelDraw guru here.

How are you getting that eps Printed? Did you ask your printer this question? That is usually where you will get the best answer. Don't be afraid to ask your printer any question.

Qualifying that I do large format stuff on many different media. If an image is embedded in an eps or a pdf with no image link provided I cannot color correct the image for the media being printed on (well, I can, but it ain't easy). If your printer can't even open the .cpt file, then he won't be able to color correct either.

What might cause more of a problem is how the receiving program interprets the transparency. If something goes wrong, you can bet the transparency will be at the root of it... especially if your printer is outputting your eps from Quark, which doesn't support transparency.

All I can say is proof, proof, proof.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[distendo]

Hi PD,

Thank youfor the reply. At the moment I'm really just trying to get the theory right, but when I get to a print job I will do as you recommend, and ask how they're using the eps.

Your comments on colour correction, embedding,and being unable to open .cpt files are well-taken.

As to Quark, I'm constantly amazed at the limitations of that over-priced dinosaur... but if it's bigger than me, I guess I'll have to bear it in mind... So what do people do if they need to introduce some element of transparency? Just merge graphical details into one big TIFF or something?

[PrintDriver]

There are workarounds. If the transparency is being used completely within the image it isn't an issue.
If you are trying to use a transparent background in your image rather than a clipping path to get a 'silhouetted' or outlined image in a layout program, it gets a little crazy depending on how you are getting your piece printed. PDF's usually are the way to go (not always) but since I do large format and outsource a lot of my material, I tend to send native files with links and let my printer rip guys do their thing. Their results are far more consistent. Offset is a largely unknown world to me.

InDesign handles transparency but even that program has a few inconsistencies when being ripped that have to be accounted for.

Personally, I have had a few problems with CorelDraw files sent to me as eps. I don't see them too often and don't know if the problems are because something went wrong in the export/import or if it was operator error (mine or the designer's). The vector art tends to have weird 'artifacts' in it that always require a little bit of desktop if we are doing cut vinyl or 3D, but I get off topic here.
Keyare swears by the program so maybe on Monday after the holiday he'll catch up and answer you more specifically.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[distendo]

Okeydokey PD... Thanks again for the comments.

I'll look up Keyare's other posts and see what he's about.