how to use spot color for dtf

[fierce_face5ECF]

Hi so I still can't figure out how to use the spot colors in illustrator. In potoshop I select lets say the logo and then contract after that i make a channel spot color. In illustrator however contracting is not an option and i havent found the answer anywhere. 

[Monika Gause]

In Illustrator you select the path and then apply a spot color to it.

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/using-creating-swatches.html 

[fierce_face5ECF]

So it wont need me to contract the selection? thanks

[Monika Gause]

I don't know what you are referring to with contracting the selection.

If you show your artwork and describe what that is for, then maybe it will work better to help you.

[fierce_face5ECF]

Its for dtf printing. In photoshop it is imperative that i contract the artwork so we are 100% sure that the spot color wont show from the front view on the tshirt. In illustrator contracting is not an option. How can we be sure the spot color doesnt get printed outside of the artwork?

[Bobby Henderson]

I think you're talking about trapping in regard to color separations.

First of all, it sounds like you may be new at using Adobe Illustrator. Do you understand the difference between pixel-based graphics (like what Photoshop creates) and vector-based graphics that are created using Adobe Illustrator? Working with vectors is very different from working with pixels.

In Photoshop you might contract an active selection to shrink what would be a spot color fill, perhaps placing it underneath the line work of elements on another layer. In Adobe Illustrator you would just create a copy of a vector object and shrink the outer perimeter of its shape by using the Offset Path command (entering a negative value) and then expanding the result. Then you would just move that object underneath another object, even if it's on the same layer. The objects can be moved around and manipulated repeatedly. The edits are not nearly as "destructive" as they are in Photoshop since you're dealing with object-based elements.

[fierce_face5ECF]

Hello and thank you for the reply. 

I am aware about the differences between vector and pixelised photos. I can contract the white spot color in 3 steps in Photoshop and send it directly for printing to DTF printer so it can print CMYK and White above the heat transferes stamp. 

My problem is that because i don't want to destroy perfect lines , as the files are as vectors , and turn them in to pixels , i am trying to find a fast way to create spot color on vector files and reduce a little the side of the spot. 

Can you please send me the steps or a video for minus offset path? 

[Monika Gause]

It's either Effect > Path > Offset path. This is the live effect. It doesn't create a copy of the path and can be edited or undone via Window > Appearance

[Bobby Henderson]

The live Offset Path effect can be expanded into an editable path as well. I'll often copy the source path to the clipboard, apply the Offset Path effect, expand the result and then restore the original source object by Pasting In Front.