Participating Frequently

Question

How to make a pdf for 5-color printing, Photoshop CC

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
October 2, 2019
7 replies
2522 views

I need to make a file for 5 color printing, CMYK + Spot color. I have the document in Photoshop, but now what? If I save the psd into pdf, the Spot color doesn't show. Same if I place the file in InDesing and export pdf. What is the correct way to export pdf with 5 colors, CMYK + Spot?

This topic has been closed for replies.

M

mikihirviAuthor

Participating Frequently

M

mikihirviAuthor

Participating Frequently

I will ask the printers tomorrow, what exactly is their "5-color printing machine". Here is 2 pics of what I've done, so far.

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Community Expert

If you still feel you need to go through InDesign, please read the section on Spot color Photoshop files in this link. If the file is not set up or saved properly from PSD, InDesign will not recognize the spot channel.

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/using-colors-imported-graphics.html

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Community Expert

You do not need to place this into InDesign or Illustrator to create a 5-channel file for print.

Use the tutorial link to set up your file and save out properly direct from Photoshop.

M

mikihirviAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thank you. I have the file OK in Photoshop and as a Photoshop PDF. Yet, when I place in InDesign or Illustrator, or open in Acrobat, I cannot see the Spot color. Maybe this is normal? But the printers say they cannot use the file,

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Community Expert

That means your file and spot colors are not setup properly. Can you reply to the main thread with screenshots of your file including channels panel.

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Community Expert

You have to save the spot color as a separate channel.

Saving as a PDF does nothing to preserve spot colors if they are not set up properly in Photoshop.

Here is how to use Spot Colors in Photoshop

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/printing-spot-colors.html

M

mikihirviAuthor

Participating Frequently

I have done that, but how to get the document out for printers?

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Community Expert

Send the PDF file to your printer from Photoshop.

J

JJLAPIN

Participating Frequently

Not sure how you are saving. Save as > PDF > High Quality Print works for me.

M

mikihirviAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thank you. I can do those steps but when I place my psd-document or psd-pdf in InDesign or Illustrator, the Spot color channel is not visible. So maybe that is why at export the channel looks empty?