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jethrodesign
Inspiring
October 21, 2019
Question

Convert Single Channel Separation Preview into Editable Mask

  • October 21, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 854 views

Hi, we are doing a packaging design and need to create spot varnish mask for a matte UV coating that will be applied to specific areas of the design.

 

For the most part, the matte varnish will be applied to all areas of a background spot PMS fill color. But this 'background' color has a number of elements over the top of it, from type & vector shapes, to images with anti-aliased transparency (will be CMYK). So the mask will be semi-complex, and we're trying to figure out the simplest and most accurate way to create it.

 

When I do a separation preview, and only view the single spot color we need the varnish applied to, it looks like an almost perfect mask. It has all elements that need to be knocked-out done so properly (including anti-aliased image edges), and even some areas that will overprint (and we would like the matte mask applied to) not knocked-out. 

 

- Is there any way to convert this 'preview' into an actual Illustrator mask that could be added to the file for the printer? We would end up making the entire mask a solid spot color for the varnish.

 

If this is not possible, and other methods to try? Converting the vector elements to knock-out wouldn't be too hard, but the raster images with soft edges are a bit trickier to figure out.

 

Thanks!

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1 reply

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 21, 2019

The plugin InkQuest can turn channels into objects.

    J
    jethrodesignAuthor
    Inspiring
    October 22, 2019

    Thanks for the quick response. I downloaded a trial for InkQuest, then generated separations and released the separations for the channel we wanted to replicate. It does create an incredibly complex web of hundreds of small clipped black & white embedded images (I'm assuming they're 100%/0% K). There are a number of elements that extend outside of the bounds of the design as well.

     

    So on a whim, I tried printing separations to a postsript file (just the channel we want) and running it through Distiller, then back into Illustrator. It actually creates a very similar file, with hundreds of individual clipped embedded images. It's not exactly the same, and does show more of the hairlines sometimes seen in Acrobat if display preferences aren't set properly ('stitching' issues). But I'm guessing it must be a similar process.

     

    I'm not really sure to what degree something this complex would be to the printer. If there were any of the stitching issues we see a bit, depending upon preview, that wouldn't be good. And we have to bring all of this into the master document and make sure it aligns perfectly with the master art.

     

    Maybe we'll see if the printer could just output a duplicate separation of the color channel we're trying to use and call it their varnish plate?!? We do wonder what standard practice is, though.

     

     

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 22, 2019

    I tried yesterday the PostScript print way you mentioned with a test file with feathered images on a spot color background.

    It flattens the file of course, but the result looked fine.

    Did you set the resolution of raster effects settings to high?

    Did you check the flattener settings in the print dialog?

    In the end it may be wise to ask the printer for a duplicate separation. If they use a modern rip they don't need to go through PostScript and the result may be better.

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