Expanding strokes to outlines is not precise, it seems to make all of the stroke weights thicker.

[Bridget5FB3]

I have a complex logo that I am ouputting and have converted all of the strokes to outlines. Whether I use the Expand or Outline Stroke method, both options make the strokes slightly heavier, which I dont want, as it fills in when the logo is small. I tried making the weight of the strokes thinner and converting again, and it still seems to make them heavier. It is only apparent when I print the files. The un-coverted logos print great, just as I want them to appear. The outlined version prints heavier, which I dont want.

Is there a way around this?

[Monika Gause]

Could be the RIP that interprets strokes differently than shapes.

Which makes this complicated, because you don't know what will happen on the press.

[Bridget5FB3]

Monika and Bobby,

Thank you for your responses. I am still having issues with strokes after they are expanded. I have modified my artwork and made the strokes thicker. I now have .25 pt strokes, and expanded them using Object > Path > Outline Stroke. They appear fine in Illustrator, but after I save as a PDF, all the strokes in the sky look thicker and parts of it appear to merge together when previewing at actual size. This happens no matter which settings I use to create the PDF.

I have not output yet, but they'll probably print PDF at Staples tomorrow, likely it will print badly, as it previews. 

See PDF and AI output attached here. (the strokes in the SKY area are the issue)

[Bridget5FB3]

Cant upload the AI file. Here is a link to the file on google drive.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1usDvxcKM1Yl0UbL9Tn6Nwznmi7WbTh4Y/view?usp=sharing

[Bobby Henderson]

If your printer (or RIP) allows it, try using a higher quality/higher resolution setting. That should lessen any differences between how line strokes are rendered if maintained as strokes or converted into editable outlines.

[Bridget5FB3]

Thank you! My home printer doesnt allow a different setting. I have been outputting at Staples, since they have a high quality Fiery print. I also tried a variety of settings when creating the PDF. It is still happening.

See response above for latest issue.

[Luke Jennings3]

As has been mentioned, some rips will thicken very thin lines, to ensure they don't disappear, this is less likely when the lines have been converted to shapes, as you have done to your file. While vector art is almost always preferred over raster, if you export your logo as a high-res .tiff (say 600 dpi) you might see better results on your home printer.

I suspect your current vector version would look better when printed at Staples, but send a side by side test print, if it's important to you.