CMYK + 1 Pantone printing preparation

[parky22317382]

Hey all, it is first time I print this way. I know that a photo under needs to have empty spaces where pantone will be printed so that colors dont mix.  Also the cutout  has to be "hairline smaller , in case there is missalingment during printing.. 

My document includes photo as a background, a text and decorations that are made with photoshop (so not vector ).. and I dont know how to cut everything out and make the "tapping"...

how do you guys prepare files for cmyk+pantone

thanks a bunch<3

[Monika Gause]

If you haven't done that yet: As for the trapping please talk to your printer, because the RIP software can take care of that. But even if they tell you that you need to do it, only the printer can tell you the precise values.

Can you please post a sketch of what you wish to do?

[parky22317382]

Thank you for your reply, so this will be a vynil sticker, and red items will be printed in pantone..  but i am not sure what is the best way to cut them out as lines are not vectors... 

[Monika Gause]

And the red already is a spot color channel in Photoshop?

In Illustrator you could take a look at the separations - does it knock out?

For the trapping please talk to your printer - it's important.

[parky22317382]

it is cmyk but with the same cmyk code as pantone in photoshop ( actually I dont have pantones in new adobe, but I as i know I will be able to tell printer that all the red  content will be a specific pantone)
Regarding separations I am not entirely sure how it normaly works ... this is what i see

[Monika Gause]

Please talk to your printer now as to how they need this prepared. I do not think that it will work they way you plan it to work.

You could try and make the artwork black and white in Photoshop and then use Image Trace on it. Trace it black and white. Expand and then color it in Pantone spot red. You will need to get the Pantone swatches. You do not by chance still have an old Photoshop, Illustrator or InDesign that still has the swatches? You could grab them from that version and install them in your current version.

[parky22317382]

Thanks for your help, I am new in illustrator in genral I usually work with indesign..
I was wondering cant I just make all red items white instead of knocking them out and put a red layer on top?
I do have an older indesgin it still has pantones though
the printer is strange says consult a graphic designer 😄 but i will ask about trapping later

[Monika Gause]

You can grab the Pantone libraries from InDesign and use them in Illustrator. Just locate them in your application folder in the presets

You need to talk to your printer. And if they can't or do not want to tell you how they need the file, then I would suggest you look for a different service. They need to tell you how they want the file set up. You cannot just send them any red and tell them to use Pantone whatever in that place.