How to export PDF with Spot Color

I need to generate a PDF file for 2-color commercial printing, with one spot color and the second color solid black.

I have the graphic elements in two separate layers. I have defined the spot color as 100% cyan, per the printer's suggestion. The black elements are defined as 100% K in the CMYK color model.

The problem is that when I export as a PDF, "there are combination colors in all separations", according to the printer. I tried both normal PDF (300 dpi) and PDF/X and got the same result. I also tried generating a PSD ... again, with the same result.

The printer needs a strict 2-color PDF. Does anyone have a recommendation of what settings might work? Hopefully, this isn't a new problem.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I would use two Pantone non-CMYK colors. You will still get CMYK plates but there should be nothing on these plates. And you will get the two Pantone colors as well. The actual colors don't matter than much because you printer will just substitute the inks you have agreed to.

Please note, that Xara does not support Pantone colors in bitmap images. I keep hoping this issue will be resolved but so far it has not.

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Originally Posted by gwpriester

I would use two Pantone non-CMYK colors.

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Does that mean two spot colors, in Xara lingo? If so, does it mean that for every defined spot color, Xara will generate an extra "plate" in the PDF/X file (in addition to the four CMYK plates)?

And a related question: is in possible to force Xara into CMYK as the default color mode? I've defined colors in CMYK, but they keep reverting to HSV when I next try to edit them.

Yes, spot colors. And yes, for every Pantone spot color you use, an extra plate will be created. if you have Adobe Acrobat you can check the plates in Advanced > Print Production > Output Preview. You will see CMYK plus your spot colors. If you un-check CMYK you should still see your spot colors.

Second question: Right click on the page and select Page Options.... In the View tabbed section, select Edit Colors in CMYK.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gwpriester

... if you have Adobe Acrobat you can check the plates ...

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Thanks for the clear explanation. I followed your recommendation, but I don't have the full Adobe Acrobat to view the layered result.

Instead, I have exported a simple test PDF with one spot color + CMYK black ... and another with two spot colors. Both files are attached.

I will very much appreciate anyone who can open them and confirm how many layers have been exported and which ones have content. What is required for the 2-color press is one plate with the spot color (cyan in my test file) and one plate with the 100% black. The C, M and Y plates should be blank.

Thanks for any assistance.

Hi Contours,

One of the programmes I use, came up with this result from your PDF Docs.

Hope this helps.

I have Acrobat Pro 8 and this is what mine showed me.

Jim

Here are the results when I managed to get the PDF's into Corel X3.

Thanks to you both for the results. The fact that I'm not very familiar with the terminology of the printing industry makes it difficult for me to know exactly what the screens are showing. Are the C, M and Y plates empty of content? The Corel results seem to say "yes". If so, then either of these should work with the 2-color press and I'll let the printer decide which to use.

Well, it just shows how confusing this issue can be, who knows what the printer is going to use to get his results. To get back to the screening frequency and angle, that should only apply when there is a percentage/tint of colour, or an included pic that will be broken into dots, and the dots/screen frequency would be the LPI - lines per inch, and the angle at which they print, will determine how well they mesh together, if you print a combination of colours. Anyway, it looks like it should work. I'm attaching screenshots of the print preview in corel as well for good measure. Let us know how it goes.

Cheers - George

I looked at both files in Acrobat 9.4 and both seem to be working fine.

I would not worry about screen angles. Your printer can and should adjust these. Basically each plate is rotated to avoid a moire pattern. This page has more information about CMYK screening and related content.

Well, the printer has responded that the file with the two spot colors (100% cyan and 100% black) "is correct". As an outsider, I'm still baffled as to how the screened-gray elements can be associated with a spot color. But I'll take his word for it. After a dozen attempts, I'm just glad to have something that's usable.

Thanks for the help.

Some things are better left a mystery. :)