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WillfulPhotography
WillfulPhotography
Participant
June 15, 2017
Answered

EPS export creating CMYK and Spot

  • June 15, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 4081 views

So I'm exporting a page to EPS for print (since none of our printers can seem to bring themselves to use anything beyond AI), and it contains black and 3 spot colors, but when I open the EPS within AI to check everything, it has converted half of the image into CMYK. I have tried changing around all the settings in EPS export, tried changing the transparency flatting from the page dialog, have checked the separations (which are perfect in ID), and have run out of ideas. Anyone have any tips? Oh and I have also created a brand new document and dropped all the content in and the same thing happening on export.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Willi Adelberger

Illustrator is NOT a program to edit or open EPS or PDF files made outside Illustrator or saved without the capability to edit in Illustrator.

Don't use EPS in any case in modern days as it an outdated file type. Use PDF/X-4 instead.

4 replies

J
Community Expert
Jeffrey_SmithCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 16, 2017

Can you share the files? Although there can be some anomalies with color separation between .pdf, .eps and .ps, for the most part the results should be consistent. The problem most likely is with the graphic or image rather than the export format.

BobLevine
Community Expert
BobLevineCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 15, 2017

Here's an idea...find a new printer. Barring that, stop opening those EPS files in Illustrator.

If you really want to check them, place them in a new InDesign file.

Willi Adelberger
Community Expert
Willi AdelbergerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
June 15, 2017

Illustrator is NOT a program to edit or open EPS or PDF files made outside Illustrator or saved without the capability to edit in Illustrator.

Don't use EPS in any case in modern days as it an outdated file type. Use PDF/X-4 instead.

D
Derek22058147auha
Participant
December 2, 2021

I have an original illustrator file and I have changed the colors to PMS spot and saved as a PDF/X4 format but when my printer opens the file it does not see the spot colors. What did I do wrong?

BobLevine
Community Expert
BobLevineCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 2, 2021

This is a four year old thread relating to InDesign. I suggest posting your issue in the Illustrator forum.

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Steve WernerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 15, 2017

I would forget EPS which is a very out-of-date format. It doesn't even support transparency, for example.

Instead, export your InDesign file as a PDF (Print) file using the PDF/X-4 preset. That will preserve all the spot colors.

You can check it in Acrobat by opening up Print Production panel > Output Preview.

Then place it in Illustrator. In Illustrator, DON'T OPEN the PDF. Choose File > Place to place the PDF as a graphic. You can check the color separations in Window > Separation Preview.

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