Printing separations on non postscript inkjet printer?

Keyare · 05-24-2005, 07:27 PM

I don't know if you're on a PC or a Mac, but on a PC, you can print separations from whatever application you are using to a .PRN file. Take that PRN file, Distill it into a PDF and lo and behold, you will have your colour seps...

However, the halftoning will not be right, so you won't be able to actually USE the seps as camera-ready, just for proofing. (You should NEVER use ink-jet prints as camera-ready artwork)

If you need the halftoning ito come accross intact, you will have to find an inkjet rip program. There used to be a program called GhostScript, which was a postscript interpreter you could use to print postscript files to an inkjet. I haven't used it in about 7 years, so I don't know if they're still around.

kaos · 05-24-2005, 07:40 PM

It's just for proofing. My question was for my Mac which is what I use for most of my work but now that you brought it up, I'll check into the PC method you described. Thanks for the tip.

MD · 05-24-2005, 08:08 PM

Couldn't you just export your design to a pdf with the color separation box checked. This would create a pdf file with all the plates separated on separate pages.

kaos · 05-26-2005, 06:48 PM

I looked into the pdf export but I don't see any check box for separations. Am I missing something?

MD · 05-26-2005, 07:29 PM

This screenshot was taken from the quark export layout as pdf options. By clicking separations instead of composite you will get a pdf file that is already separated.

Attached Files

export.jpg (0, 123 views)

Bob · 05-26-2005, 07:42 PM

You didn't say what app you're printing out of. PDF will work as a 'softrip' for most non-ps printers, but not all things work. Reversals on HP are prone to not working. So are some outline effects. Usually configuring the print driver to go to raster, while slower, will work.

As far as I know, PageMaker is the only layout app that actually will print seps directly to non-ps apps. Only, if there's EPS files on page, I don't think it'll process those.

CorelDraw does print seps to non-ps printers too. It also comes with full sreen, zoomable preview. Same thing about placed EPS (but you can use the PS interpreter to get around that), and any exclusive postscript functions like screen settings on inks, or PS fills (the latter is convertible). But just remember, that Corel is not really for long documents.

**Allen Harkleroad** · 05-26-2005, 07:54 PM

I love CorelDraw but i could not imagine doing a multiple page layout in it

kaos · 05-26-2005, 08:19 PM

I mostly work in Illustrator & Photshop. I have a very old version of Quark. I think it is 4.0? I'm not sure, I'll have to check when I get home. I don't know if it even exports .pdf files. I also have Pagemaker that I will look into. Now that you brought it up, I think I remember seeing that capability in Pagemaker. Thanks I'll look into it.

For MD, how do you do that screen shot?

MD · 05-26-2005, 09:53 PM

Command - Shift - 3

kovachjon · 05-27-2005, 12:43 PM

CorelDraw

As we call it, Corel Hell!

Printing separations on non postscript inkjet printer?

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