Print PDF Separations from INdesign, no PDF printer

[weblogik]

I am running CS3, i can export as a pdf but if i go to print i there is a list of printers (i dont have) but i dont see Adobe PDF. Was looking at an online tutorial that clearly shows it should be there...

any ideas how to install it into indesign? printing is the only way i know of to print individual color separations

 

[snickelfritz]

Print to Postscript File.
(this option should be available in the "Printer:" pulldown)

 

[weblogik]

doesnt let you print separations that way..

 

[Designer Dale]

I am running CS3, i can export as a pdf but if i go to print i there is a list of printers (i dont have) but i dont see Adobe PDF. Was looking at an online tutorial that clearly shows it should be there...

any ideas how to install it into indesign? printing is the only way i know of to print individual color separations

You are Exporting as PDF from InDesign and need to print separations. Is this right? I don't want to run through my way of doing this unless I need to.

Dale

 

[Designer Dale]

OK. Print to PostScript. Select any PostScript driver in the list. Brother is at the top and does it for me. In the Output option where it says Color, select Separations and Save. This will put a .ps file on your desktop. Drag that file through Acrobat Distiller, a part of the Acrobat Pro package. You will get a PDF with separations that you can print on any printer.

Dale

 

[snickelfritz]

doesnt let you print separations that way..

Yes, you can.
In fact, you can even create a printing preset specifically for quickly printing color separations.

 

[weblogik]

That worked thanks so much! now i have a sort of related question...
I have a 2 color logo .EPS made up 2 metallic pantones... The vector file has a bunch of white strokes and objects in it , that are fine if im on a white background since it only rips 2 color separations, but a pain if i bring it in photoshop i have to clean it up by hand so to speak... Is there a way to tell Illustrator to knock out of the design ALL white objects???

 

[flrazor]

I have a 2 color logo .EPS made up 2 metallic pantones... The vector file has a bunch of white strokes and objects in it , that are fine if im on a white background since it only rips 2 color separations, but a pain if i bring it in photoshop i have to clean it up by hand so to speak... Is there a way to tell Illustrator to knock out of the design ALL white objects???

Not quite that directly, but you can get what you want with a little more work. Here's the steps I'd recommend trying:

1. Outline all your strokes (Object > Path > Outline Stroke) so you are dealing with all solid objects and not mixed strokes and solids.

2. If you have stokes that match the object they surround (like white strokes around a white object) use the Pathfinder palette to merge them into single objects with the "Add" method. They may be grouped, but the strokes and objects are still separate. Just select only the parts to combine and then click the Add button. If the "Expand" button un-greys itself, you can use that to simplify the vector object that results, but you're not always going to need it or it won't always make itself available when you don't need it.

3. Use the Pathfinder palette to subtract the white areas from the areas they cover. If you haven't used it much before, play around a bit to get the hang of what you're doing. You'll mostly be using the "Subtract" method - select the area you want to be knocked out and the object you want to have it knocked out from, then click Subtract.

Pathfinder is a really helpful tool to clean up your vector artwork, it's worth messing around with it for a while to learn what it does and what each tool in it will do for you. Hope this helps.

 

[xheyitsSarahx]

Printing Separations in Indesign

You are Exporting as PDF from InDesign and need to print separations. Is this right? I don't want to run through my way of doing this unless I need to.

Dale

OK. Print to PostScript. Select any PostScript driver in the list. Brother is at the top and does it for me. In the Output option where it says Color, select Separations and Save. This will put a .ps file on your desktop. Drag that file through Acrobat Distiller, a part of the Acrobat Pro package. You will get a PDF with separations that you can print on any printer.

Dale

Thank you so much for the above info Designer Dale. I have one more question on this. The above worked but I need to make the pdf artwork to send to the printer LARGER than the standard 8.5 x 11 as I need the artwork to show the bleeds and crop marks. Before printing from InDesign I have tried to set the page size to larger but each time I open the pdf separations part of the artwork is cut off as obviously the pdf is printing it at 8.5 x 11. Sounds like a really obvious thing but I'm having trouble with this. If you or anyone else can help I'd really appreciate it! thanks

 

[Blue Velvet]

Sounds like a really obvious thing but I'm having trouble with this. If you or anyone else can help I'd really appreciate it! thanks

If the printer wants a composite file, which most do, export the file straight from InDesign with bleed and trim. However, if you're running separations out from a postscript file, don't forget to also set oversized page dimensions in the Setup section of the print dialogue box.

 

[covisio]

However, if you're running separations out from a postscript file, don't forget to also set oversized page dimensions in the Setup section of the print dialogue box.

Do you need to do that? Surely just going to Print, choosing PostScript file, the correct PPD, setting your document size to your actual document size and setting your marks and bleeds accordingly will add them successfully to the PS file at the right size and position. When distilled, these will come through on the PDF. Or am I missing something?

To the OP, are you sure you're missing your Adobe PDF PPD? On my system the PPD list isn't in alphabetical order - Adobe PDF PPD is buried somewhere in the middle of a list of about 100 PPDs.

I find, if I first set my Printer as 'Adobe PDF 8.0' (or whatever version) from my list of printers, then 'Adobe PDF 8.0' automatically slots into the PPD section. Then I go back up to Printer and change this to 'PostScript® File', the PPD selection stays as 'Adobe PDF 8.0'.

The real advantage of using Adobe PDF as your PPD is that you get access to the full range of document sizes (i.e. not just the document sizes offered by a specific Printer PPD such as the Brother one suggested by DesignerDave), plus the ability to set a custom page size.

This is the most accurate way to do it:

• PostScript® file as your Printer
• Adobe PDF as your PPD
• Set your Paper size to your actual document size
• Set your marks and bleed as required
• Set Output to Separations
• Save the file
• Distill

If you still can't find the Adobe PDF PPD, then find out why, 'cos you need it.