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R
RANN-CN
Participant
September 26, 2023
Answered

Illustrator won't save eps with transparent background

  • September 26, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 906 views

I can't get save an illustrator file as an eps file with a transparent background. I have tried every suggestion I've seen online including using the transparency grid and making sure transparent is selected when trying to save. No matter what I do it saves with a white background. This is super urgent as I need to send a logo off tomorrow! Any help would be appreciated.

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    Correct answer RANN-CN

    I've been checking on the general preview app on mac where it has a white background, but I just tried opening it in illustrator and it's there without a background so hopefully it will be ok as it is, thanks!

    2 replies

    Ares Hovhannesyan
    Community Expert
    Ares HovhannesyanCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 26, 2023

    Which app you use to check transparency?

    R
    RANN-CNAuthorCorrect answer
    Participant
    September 26, 2023

    I've been checking on the general preview app on mac where it has a white background, but I just tried opening it in illustrator and it's there without a background so hopefully it will be ok as it is, thanks!

    Kurt Gold
    Community Expert
    Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 26, 2023

    Careful. If you save an .eps file from Illustrator, it actually contains two portions: .eps as well as native .ai.

     

    If you open such .eps in Illustrator, the native .ai portion is interpreted (including transparencies that pure .eps cannot handle).

     

    Kurt Gold
    Community Expert
    Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 26, 2023

    Traditionally, the (pure) .eps file format just does not support transparency.

     

    Does it really have to be .eps? Or would be .ai or .pdf sufficient?

     

      R
      RANN-CNAuthor
      Participant
      September 26, 2023

      Ah, I was told a transparent eps would be the best, I hadn't realised it wasn't really possible! I'm hoping .ai will be ok, but it's for a printer and I know they often prefer eps. Hopefully they'll have their own software which can adjust things if it's an issue. Thanks!

      Kurt Gold
      Community Expert
      Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 26, 2023

      It's true that some print providers still prefer .eps. Sometimes there are comprehensible reasons, and sometimes not.

       

      I'd recommend to just talk to the printer and balance the situation.

       

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