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davidhunternyc
davidhunternyc
Known Participant
June 13, 2017
Answered

Please Help! "Create Outlines" problem with font when printed.

  • June 13, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 3725 views

Hello,

Please, I need your help. I created a business card in Illustrator using the "Neutra Display" font. What is curious about this font is that when you type "numbers" the numbers appear smaller and are automatically lowered on the line even though it is the same font size. For the business card, the client did not like this look and they want the numbers to appear that same size and thickness as the rest of the font letters.

In order to achieve this I had to use a smaller font size for the numbers and then create a "stroke" around the numbers in order to get the numbers to appear as the same thickness and size as the rest of the letters. On my computer screen it looked good but when I sent the pdf file off to moo.com to print, the results were not good. The numbers actually appeared skinnier than the rest of the font. Before I saved the AI file as pdf I used the "Create Outlines" function for the whole document. It looks to me as if the printer at moo did not recognize the "stroke" I added and only printed the outlines, (the stroke goes beyond the outlines). How can I fix this issue so that the numbers and the rest of the font appear the same? The numbers which appeared thinner when printed are, 7, 33, & 10016 in the address.

Thank you.

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This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Mike_Gondek10189183

Most online print services will do an onscreen proof,  log in to your account and see if you can retrieve that. If what came back is different than the on screen proof,  they should reprint this for you correctly, otherwise would outline the strokes and submit again. For how little these companies charge, they really have to use the PDF/Online proof technique or they would never make a profit.

Next time use NeutraFace Text and set to small caps  to e.g. rid of the old style figures your client probably will not like.

Type all in lowercase to get what you were after, I set with initial cap so we can all se what is going on with this typeface, and why I do not like the display version when using small caps.

4 replies

Mike_Gondek10189183
Community Expert
Mike_Gondek10189183Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
June 13, 2017

Most online print services will do an onscreen proof,  log in to your account and see if you can retrieve that. If what came back is different than the on screen proof,  they should reprint this for you correctly, otherwise would outline the strokes and submit again. For how little these companies charge, they really have to use the PDF/Online proof technique or they would never make a profit.

Next time use NeutraFace Text and set to small caps  to e.g. rid of the old style figures your client probably will not like.

Type all in lowercase to get what you were after, I set with initial cap so we can all se what is going on with this typeface, and why I do not like the display version when using small caps.

J
jdanek
Inspiring
June 13, 2017

"For how little these companies charge, they really have to use the PDF/Online proof technique or they would never make a profit."...

They have to?  I beg to differ.  If you are a reputable design shop or are responsible for getting results, you demand a printed proof ( usually a reasonable contract proof suitable for signoffs ).

Monika may be on to something.  I guess it would be important to know what type of font it is.  However, I have never run into a disappearing stroke, expand or no expand.

davidhunternyc
davidhunternycAuthor
Known Participant
June 14, 2017

Thank you, everyone for all of your input. I will try these all these strategies. The easiest idea seems to just use the Neutra Face Text Small Caps instead of what I'm using. I will also trying expanding the Object>Expand Outlines just to see. My font size is 6 point and my Create Outlines is .15 - I will also check the attributes of the PDF. I did send my PDF to Moo and they said it was fine. When I got the cards back and told them the problem they said they will print it for free so I am not worried about this. You guys are great.

I am having problems finding the NeutraFace Text Font. Can someone send me a link? Thanks.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 13, 2017

Is that an OpenType font? In that case I would check if there's a different type of numerals available, that is not Small Caps.

barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
barbara_a7746676Community Expert
Community Expert
June 13, 2017

Once you create outlines, with the outline type still selected, choose Object > Expand, and expand the stroke and fill.

Then, in the Pathfinder panel, choose Unite.

J
jdanek
Inspiring
June 13, 2017

What amount of stroke did you use?  Did you set the stroke to overprint ( attributes )?  Did you print a proof before sending it off to your online print provider?  Did your print provider supply you with a printed proof?  Or did they send you their version as a PDF?  Did you send a PDF?  Does the PDF "honor strokes and overprints"?

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