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Why are my files looking washed out after I upload them to VistaPrint?

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
September 19, 2017
7 replies
9935 views

So I'm trying to get some prints of a file I've been working on. I saved the file as an .ai, .eps, and .pdf and uploaded it to VistaPrint. For some reasons, everything seems a bit less saturated/washed out.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

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Correct answer Mike_Gondek10189183

I think you are misunderstanding how the appearance of black works.

Your screen is set to display blacks as Rich blacks, so your display is making 100k look darker than it actually does when going to print. Many people are under the misconception that 100k is really dark, but it is not due to the paper absorbing ink. Try this as a test and I believe this will become clear.

Use a rich black (e.g.: 60c 40MY 100K) instead of 100k for VistaPrint.

Adobe's Printing/Exporting is very deceiving as named. A 100k will still print 100k when printing or export. This setting is more for RGB devices.

Doug is right, Overprint preview will display blacks more accurately (but only if display all blacks as rich blacks is set). I believe show blacks accurately is a better way to work for print, and you do not need to turn on overprint preview to show blacks accurately if you are set up as per my screenshot. Reminds me to overprint and make rich blacks when needed.

M

mrbcox47Author

Known Participant

I agree Monika, I'm going to head over to my local print shop and see what we can arrange. I'm sure once they see my illustrator file they might be able to pinpoint my black richness issue.

I really appreciate all of your help! Thanks again.

Mike_Gondek10189183

Correct answer

Community Expert

I think you are misunderstanding how the appearance of black works.

Your screen is set to display blacks as Rich blacks, so your display is making 100k look darker than it actually does when going to print. Many people are under the misconception that 100k is really dark, but it is not due to the paper absorbing ink. Try this as a test and I believe this will become clear.

Use a rich black (e.g.: 60c 40MY 100K) instead of 100k for VistaPrint.

Adobe's Printing/Exporting is very deceiving as named. A 100k will still print 100k when printing or export. This setting is more for RGB devices.

Doug is right, Overprint preview will display blacks more accurately (but only if display all blacks as rich blacks is set). I believe show blacks accurately is a better way to work for print, and you do not need to turn on overprint preview to show blacks accurately if you are set up as per my screenshot. Reminds me to overprint and make rich blacks when needed.

M

mrbcox47Author

Known Participant

You really helped me understand this even further. Thank you so much.

M

mrbcox47Author

Known Participant

So again, the first image is without overprint preview selected, and the second image is with overprint preview selected. I see a noticeable difference. I selected the artwork and went to the Attributes panel, and overprint fill and overprint stroke are unchecked. Such a small issue and we can't find a solution!

Doug A Roberts

Community Expert

it's not to do with overprinting per se, but overprint preview will display blacks accurately, i.e. 100k instead of rich black.

M

mrbcox47Author

Known Participant

OK thank you for clarification, that makes sense now.

In that case, how does one use an accurate black that is the blackest of blacks? All I want to do is have this thing print like a rich black.

M

mrbcox47Author

Known Participant

Here's another example of in-house Illustrator VS the PDF I saved of it:

M

mrbcox47Author

Known Participant

I created a new document, 11x17, CMYK color, so the document is in CMYK. My monitor is fine as far as calibration.

I originally uploaded the .ai file, but it was washed out so I tried a .pdf and .eps, and still the same thing.

Even if I open up the saved .pdf on my computer, it looks washed out (please see attached photos).

File>Save as>Save as type dropdown (PDF)>Save>Adobe PDF Preset dropdown (High Quality Print)

Going a bit whacky here, any other thoughts?!

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Don't see the washed out in your screenshots.

What kind of black is that? 100K?

J

jdanek

Inspiring

I agree, it does not look like a wash-out as I would define it. Has the Black been set to overprint? Or does the Black knock-out of the background?

Mike_Gondek10189183

Community Expert

Can we see a screenshot?

You may have designed your artwork in File >> Document Color Mode >> RGB. Very important to be in the correct color mode, CMYK for Vistaprint.

Another reason is you may have not used the correct .pdf preset. Why did you upload all 3 formats?

Monika Gause

Community Expert

MikeGondek schrieb
You may have designed your artwork in File >> Document Color Mode >> RGB. Very important to be in the correct color mode, CMYK for Vistaprint.

Unfortunately with Vistaprint you might still be surprised when receiving the final print. I'm not sure what exactly they do with CMYK files, but in my print the yellow had cyan in it that wasn't in the uploaded file.

On the other hand, 200 business cards cost 20 EUR. So you get what you pay for.

J

jdanek

Inspiring

Are you referring to a soft proof viewed on the monitor or are you looking at an actal printed piece?