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File containing direct tones and transparency

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nourchannousa Posted messages 978 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   -  
nourchannousa Posted messages 978 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   -
Hello,
when saving my Illustrator file as a PDF 2008, the dialog box "save Adobe PDF file" -> summary -> warnings
displays this message

"this file contains spot colors and transparency, which may produce unexpected results if printed in CMYK outside of Illustrator"

the file saves without any issues, but will there be any surprises when printing?
what unexpected results can occur, and how can I avoid them?

thank you in advance

4 answers

  1.
    contrariness Posted messages 343 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   6 243
     
    Yes, it depends on the situations....
    If a text is placed on a transparency, the area becomes pixelated and thus becomes an image.. so your spot color will convert to CMYK..

    To avoid this, we don’t use transparency, but a percentage of the spot color.
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    1. nourchannousa Posted messages 978 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   151
       
      thank you
      the printing will be in CMYK not in pantone
      but at first I used pantones on almost all pages so if I replace the pantones with CMYK colors the problem will be solved?
      (if yes I will remove the pantones from the document and they will be replaced right?)
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    2. nourchannousa Posted messages 978 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   151
       
      Regarding transparency, it's better to do it in % of the direct tone, I understand that.
      But if the damage is done and the file has multiple pages and several objects, can the option to flatten custom transparencies solve the issue?
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  2. contrariness Posted messages 343 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   6 243
     
    You can automatically convert at the time of printing or saving as a PDF, or modify the shades in the color chart.

    Be careful, Pantone colors are pure colors; converting to CMYK often yields surprising results... There is a big difference between a PMS137 and its CMYK conversion.
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    1. nourchannousa Posted messages 978 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   151
       
      Can you do the conversion automatically at the time of printing, i.e. at the printer in the PDF file? Is it possible?
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  3. contrariness Posted messages 343 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   6 243
     
    At the printer, it's possible... (provided you indicate it, of course! because at the time of separating the colors, he will see the Pantone shades as independent colors in the PDF)

    And you, at the time of printing the PDF by checking "convert spot colors to process" in the output options...

    Saving as a PDF does not allow this from Illustrator.
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    1. nourchannousa Posted messages 978 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   151
       
      Thank you
      1) Regarding the transparencies, it's better to do it in % of the spot color; I understand that.
      But if the damage is done and the file has several pages and several objects, can the option to flatten custom transparencies solve the issue?

      2) In the output options, "convert spot colors to process" is only available in optimal quality, not in PDF/X-4: 2008, and I don't know why I'm always asked for a PDF 2008.
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  4. contrariness Posted messages 343 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   6 243
     
    Multiple pages in Illustrator?...
    Yes, it is always possible to convert spot colors to CMYK in Illustrator. In fact, simply dragging the spot color from the swatches panel to the trash will convert a selected object.

    Ah, the standards..! If the service provider is in a production flow with this standard, it is normal for them to request the same....
    And if the standard allows the inclusion of spot colors, it is quite possible that the conversion is not available.
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    1. nourchannousa Posted messages 978 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   151
       
      I agree with you!
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