I designed a logo in illustrator using metallic solver

[maggardner1@gmail.com]

The pantone 877 silver is over a black gradient.

I need to make sure the silver prints and comes off very vibrant.  Need to know exactly how to set it up for the printer and for web

[Bobby Henderson]

Metallic spot color inks, such as Pantone 877, require the use of a printer that can print metallic inks. Normally a process printer would add an additional spot color printing plate to print that one specially mixed metallic ink. Some large format printers can add additional specialty spot colors such as metallic or fluorescent inks. Another idea is using cut metallic vinyl and applying that over the print job.

There isn't a good way to simulate a metallic ink using a standard printer. A spot color like Pantone 877 will just print out as a flat gray. Likewise, for screen-based applications, such as graphics on a web page, the same thing will apply. One option is to use gradient effects to mimic a metallic look. Another option is using raster-based brushed metal effects in Photoshop plugins like AlienSkin's Eye Candy. Still, those solutions won't yield an irredescent, reflective metallic look. They would just be a simulation rather than the real thing.

[John Waller]

Need to know exactly how to set it up for the printer

The first step is always to talk to your preferred printer.

If they can do it, they will know exactly what they need from you to produce the desired result.