Please Help! "Create Outlines" problem with font when printed.

[davidhunternyc]

Hello,

Please, I need your help. I created a business card in Illustrator using the "Neutra Display" font. What is curious about this font is that when you type "numbers" the numbers appear smaller and are automatically lowered on the line even though it is the same font size. For the business card, the client did not like this look and they want the numbers to appear that same size and thickness as the rest of the font letters.

In order to achieve this I had to use a smaller font size for the numbers and then create a "stroke" around the numbers in order to get the numbers to appear as the same thickness and size as the rest of the letters. On my computer screen it looked good but when I sent the pdf file off to moo.com to print, the results were not good. The numbers actually appeared skinnier than the rest of the font. Before I saved the AI file as pdf I used the "Create Outlines" function for the whole document. It looks to me as if the printer at moo did not recognize the "stroke" I added and only printed the outlines, (the stroke goes beyond the outlines). How can I fix this issue so that the numbers and the rest of the font appear the same? The numbers which appeared thinner when printed are, 7, 33, & 10016 in the address.

Thank you.

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[jdanek]

What amount of stroke did you use?  Did you set the stroke to overprint ( attributes )?  Did you print a proof before sending it off to your online print provider?  Did your print provider supply you with a printed proof?  Or did they send you their version as a PDF?  Did you send a PDF?  Does the PDF "honor strokes and overprints"?

[barbara_a]

Once you create outlines, with the outline type still selected, choose Object > Expand, and expand the stroke and fill.

Then, in the Pathfinder panel, choose Unite.

[Monika Gause]

Is that an OpenType font? In that case I would check if there's a different type of numerals available, that is not Small Caps.

[Mike_Gondek · Accepted solution]

Most online print services will do an onscreen proof,  log in to your account and see if you can retrieve that. If what came back is different than the on screen proof,  they should reprint this for you correctly, otherwise would outline the strokes and submit again. For how little these companies charge, they really have to use the PDF/Online proof technique or they would never make a profit.

Next time use NeutraFace Text and set to small caps  to e.g. rid of the old style figures your client probably will not like.

Type all in lowercase to get what you were after, I set with initial cap so we can all se what is going on with this typeface, and why I do not like the display version when using small caps.

[jdanek]

"For how little these companies charge, they really have to use the PDF/Online proof technique or they would never make a profit."...

They have to?  I beg to differ.  If you are a reputable design shop or are responsible for getting results, you demand a printed proof ( usually a reasonable contract proof suitable for signoffs ).

Monika may be on to something.  I guess it would be important to know what type of font it is.  However, I have never run into a disappearing stroke, expand or no expand.

[davidhunternyc]

Thank you, everyone for all of your input. I will try these all these strategies. The easiest idea seems to just use the Neutra Face Text Small Caps instead of what I'm using. I will also trying expanding the Object>Expand Outlines just to see. My font size is 6 point and my Create Outlines is .15 - I will also check the attributes of the PDF. I did send my PDF to Moo and they said it was fine. When I got the cards back and told them the problem they said they will print it for free so I am not worried about this. You guys are great.

I am having problems finding the NeutraFace Text Font. Can someone send me a link? Thanks.

[Mike_Gondek]

Neutraface is from house industries.

https://houseind.com/hi/neutraface_no2

Glad to hear you worked things out with Moo.

[davidhunternyc]

Thanks, Mike. I checked out the font and it looks like the numbers drop again with the No 2. font? Also, is there a free alternative? I won't make any money on this project if I have to pay so much money for this font.

[barbara_a]

This site seems to have a full set http://fontsgeek.com/fonts/Neutra-Text-Book-SC

[davidhunternyc]

Not working yet. I have downloaded several types of Neutra fonts to no avail. Either the font is too thin, too thick, or the numbers don't align. Ugh. I might have to try Object>Expand with Create Outlines. I was hoping I could just solve this issue with just a different font selection.

[barbara_a]

I suggested expanding and uniting as a workaround -- I think it will work for you. With most fonts it is not necessary.

[davidhunternyc]

Barbara, it seems like Object>Expand will work but here is what happened with Pathfinder>Unite. Odd? I still would rather get a Neutra Text font without the number issues. This would be the best solution but I just printed a pdf from my Epson R3000 printer and it looked great with your Object>Expand workaround. We will see if the Moo printers will work.

[Monika Gause]

I still would rather get a Neutra Text font without the number issues.

You will probably have to buy it.

If you know you don't earn the money, then don't select such an expensive font.

[barbara_a]

I can't replicate the Unite issue. I'm glad its working with expand.