I apologize.  You are correct, Stephen.  I was thinking about the Solid Color Guides.  The more I think about it, the more I am inclined to think the solution may be a custom formulated spot color and it does not necessarily have to be Pantone. ... View more

Randy, what did you get for RGB numbers? ... View more

I doubt it... "FYI- Photoshop color settings are identical (Adobe RGB Working space) too." Something somewhere is different.  I wonder if it would have anything to do with the OS ( operating system )? Would a monitor profile affect RGB reads?  I just setup a test using PMS 354 on a 1.) laptop OSX ( 61R, 172G, 76B ) and 2.) tower OSX ( 45R, 169G, 68B ) in PS with identical color settings.  I would be interested in hearing an answer to the original question: What the heck is going on? ... View more

"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. ... View more

Pantone "Bridge" are CMYK reformulations, aren't they?  You do bring up an option... have the printer match the color.  It is possible to custom mix ink formulations when mixing ink for Pantone Spot Colors.  It then becomes your own custom color.  Not a Pantone Spot color any longer, but a custom mix to be used only for your specific coated match. ... View more

I just tried recreating your graph by increasing the amount of space between the vertical spans.  I failed to get the text to fit using a 66% horizontal scale and reducing the font size a few points.  The only way to make it work is to increase the entire width of the graph and tripling the amount of space between vertical spans. ... View more

It looks like you have two sets of numbers running horizontally, one over lapping the other.  Remove one set and with the remaining set adjust the horizontal scale to around 66 - 70% ad see if reducing the size by a point or two is doable. ... View more

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"? ... View more

"Is it as simple as taking the same Pantone color U and finding it's a Coated version?"... No.  You could use Pantone's Solid Coated Guide to find an alternate using coated paper. What is the specific uncoated color you are trying to match? ... View more

"So I downloaded some random ones just to play around and view what it would look like. Can see significant color shifting, but it does not effect the darkness of the photo. I still see a well lit photo, until it's printed. My histogram looks good, with even a bulk of it to the right of middle."... Your image source profile will not affect the "darkness" of your image.  There are several factors that will affect the quality of the end product: the printed piece.  A few are press and paper.  One factor that you really cannot control, besides lighting, lens, and F-stop is your camera's RGB capture.  Some capture "RAW" images; some capture at a factory preset RGB.  Some give you the ability to set a given RGB in the camera.  We have no way of telling, but it appears your images are saved as sRGB images. I recommend you get Adobe's Print Publishing Guide.  Unfortunately, it is a bit technical and filled with terminology.  However, that terminology is explained in great detail in hopes that you will better understand the logistics of setting up and preparing files for printing.  You will be able to understand how the image profiles fit into the entire process.  What you are attempting with your request for book prints is pretty complex.  So, it will ultimately come down to creating a color managed workflow from the ground up that starts with your camera's ability to capture and your ability to color correct the images using what is appropriate for achieving consistent, high quality "prints".  I can tell you that I have a system that is solid as a rock.  You have to take into account that your files will be put into an "Open Loop" workflow when you hand-off to a printer.  Yes, they will have a print profile.  Most will use a standard CMYK print profile.  Something like "SWOP Coated v2" ( note "coated" per paper on press ).  Printers typically color calibrate their RIP to conform to that profile.  Their profile is usually not given out to the public, but instead is used in-house only.  Almost all printers will recommend image files saved as "Adobe RGB", then converted to "SWOP...CMYK".  There are exceptions, but typically that is what you can expect and base your file preparations on. Some exceptions might include different print processes and equipment.  Some specific printers were or are made to print photographs.  Some examples would be High Fidelity offset printers, HP, Epson, etc., wide gamut multi-color inkjet printers.  Some of those may actually prefer ProPhoto RGB image profiles where the print driver / RIP can maximize color output ( saturation, gamut, etc. ).  But, you are not dealing with those applications, but are buying printing from a print provider ( Alphagraphics, Sir Speedy, PIP, etc. ) which is most probably a 4-color process printer, who may even had used a color copier to print your files ( quantity: 100 ). ... View more

"What am I doing wrong? I can't for the life of me understand gamuts and spot colors, and I have no idea what else. Speak to me simple, I just don't know where to go from here."... Can you post a screen shot of your application color settings?  What "Dot Gain" percentages are you using in your applications?  What is your "Rendering Intent" set to?  What application did you use to create the page layouts for your book?  Did you submit PDFs? As you can see, there are many variables beside "profiles" that you have to consider when creating a print file.  And, do not expect printers to be sympathetic to your problems.  All of the printers that I deal with want CMYK files that are RIP ready.  They simply do not have time to do any type of conversions, but if they do, they will charge a substantial fee for that. So, post the screen shots so we can make a more solid recommendation for you moving forward. ... View more

I do not think the "noise" has anything to do with the image profile(s).  If you did not see the "noise" in your proofs, it could be the paper.  Can you tell us what type of paper was used on press?  And, what type of press?  Did they print stochastic? If the images were 600ppi, it will not affect "noise", would not be a factor.  Can you post an image here?  So we can see the image?  Just save a copy @ 72ppi and / or reduce the size.  Then, we can load it into Photoshop and have a closer look at the channels. ... View more

Not sure what the subject matter is, but like everything else, the user should be able to tell within a second or two what the subject is and what the picture represents.  For instance, is that a bird?  If so, would the title be better as "Bird help > Start Here"?  The text under the pic is too small and unreadable because it is black on blue.  What I do like is your flat colors.  Think about accenting certain elements like a stroke on the pic window.  Can something be done with the "Simple Aid"?  Have you thought about a logo?  As with any design project, have you created more than one version?  Try to come up with something not thought of before or something that is rarely seen.  Concentrate on the subject matter on how your design can directly relate to that.  I would think you will have to make a presentation to your teacher.  That will mean your app will have to have some kind of "WOW!" factor.  The sample you've shown is not terrible, however we, as forum advisors, have nothing to compare it to.  So, create two more different approaches and post them here.  Then, the feedback you get will be more valuable to you. ... View more

There may be a few advantages to just keeping one logo on the desktop.  Especially if there are other versions and/or colors ( RGB web based comes to mind ).  Absolutely no reason why you wouldn't be able to drag and drop as you've mentioned in your original post.  That's not how I do it, but that does not mean it cannot be done. ... View more

Industry practice is create a logo that is simple.  What you've described is more applicable for a specific application of the logo, but not for the logo itself... 1. Using clipping mask I have the vector logo and a gradient image which I then used a clipping mask to create the gradient effect on the logo. I’m not sure if this is a good way for logo. Can someone tell me the complications for this? The current problem I know is that the eps file is too big when I embed the gradient image, which makes it difficult to transfer through email for corporate uses? I feel that usually the file size for logo is quite small. - avoid using any bitmaps in your logo design.  It limits its use.  You've already discovered this; 2. Using in build gradient tool For this method, I realized that it will not be a smooth gradient, meaning that there will be banding for the gradient. It is even more obvious when zooming in. I have tested it by printing on regular printing paper, the banding is not obvious, but I’m not sure if this will be a problem if the logo is printed in larger sizes. Is there any way in which I can solve this? Anyway, the eps file size is much smaller for this method. - not sure why you are getting banding, but this would be a better way to create what you want.  I am also concerned with your friend's request to using "Gold" as one of the colors.  Pantone offers a few Gold colors in their spot color catalog, but you would not be able to achieve a Gold color on the web or by using CMYK.  If you could post here the vector version with the banding, that would be great.  But again, a bit of caution as you proceed.  You may want to talk with a local printer and run it by them.  They may be able to explain logistics and supply you with an argument you can present to your friend on what is and what is not appropriate for certain applications. ... View more

Check your file handling preferences... What is your "Update Links" set to? ... View more

How is your scratch disk ( preferences )? Sent from my iPhone ... View more

Are there any image files involved? ... View more

It might have something to do with the way the colors are "named" in the photoshop file.  Are you naming the color channels using specific color names or something custom?  Does Illustrator allow you to continue with the file or does it force you to close it? ... View more

Actually, you can still purchase Adobe's Print Publishing Guide, Vol. 2... Official Adobe Print Publishing Guide, Second Edition: The Essential Resource for Design, Production, and Prepress, 2nd … if that link does not work, just google "Adobe Print Publishing Guide" and it will be one of the first listed. The "Print Publishing Guide" is different than the CS6 Print Guide which is application specific, typical scenarios encountered when setting up application files. The Print Publishing Guide gets into areas such as spot colors,separations, trapping, resolution ( image vs. output ), etc., etc. ... View more

Thank you Monika, I forgot they changed the name of vol. 3.  "I am doing some direct to garmet printing as well as screen printing." Yes, two very different processes and different file types.  I take it you are working with vendors already?  Have they seen your Photoshop files? "Am I screwed?" I don't know, how much time do you have to ramp-up?  You will not be able to pull it off by yourself.  Work with the print vendors and be honest.  If the can't help you, perhaps they can point you to someone who can. ... View more

"I don't know anything about color modes. I am a newbie." Get Adobe's Print Publishing Guide.  You'll find it if you do a search on their site.  It's a reference book that spells out color modes, print processes, and terminology.  Very good read to get you started. "What can I do now because I made about 40 t-shirt designs in photoshop and I need them to be vector." Not sure where you are with your designs, but like Monika suggests, you have to nail down how you want the shirts printed before you can get into file preparations.  T-shirt printing is pretty complex.  You may want to find someone who can help you.  You've pretty much jumped into a snake pit.  If you could let us know what print method ( silkscreen, inkjet, dye sub, etc. ) you will be using, then we can try to help. ... View more

All you have right now are paths.  Use the White Arrow tool ( direct selection? ) to select individual parts.  But, your artwork needs new fill areas you could draw-in using the pencil tool.  I am surprised you could not find help on this. ... View more

The reason Postscript is grayed out is because you do not have a RIP installed.  That means you have the Epson driver.  Let me be clear, you will never be able to match the video "transmissive" color in a "reflective" print unless it is back lit.  Many people invest a huge amount of time trying to achieve the impossible.  That said, you can come pretty close.  I have found that your color settings in your applications will affect output color.  Those settings should be emulated as much as possible in the Epson "driver" control panel.  The choices you make in both of those environments has a lot to do with what type of work you are doing, mainly is it photographic or is it graphic arts, or is it office documents?  I see you have chosen "Relative Colorimetric" in your Rendering Intent ( driver window above ).  Epson offers you "sRGB" or "Adobe RGB" in their Printer Profile setting.  What you choose should match what you choose in your application's color settings.  Another important choice is "Let printer determine color" instead of "Let Illustrator determine color".  That will allow the printer to make its own color conversion, which Epson engineers have done a pretty good job creating.  Here's another important factor.  Color management only works when you have all of your hardware calibrated.  For instance, your monitor's color temperature ( White Point ) has a lot to do with how color is created on-screen, but it is only one of many factors when calibrating.  Epson has done their own calibrating and gives you a series of .icm profiles to load in their driver control panel.  You can hire someone to calibrate your system ( if you have not done it already ) or do it yourself.  Believe it or not, things like atmospheric temperature and humidity play a factor as well.  I always recommend people be somewhat realistic in their expectations.  There is a way to achieve consistency using color management.  I know because I have implemented it and I am very satisfied with what I am able to achieve using something as simple as Adobe Reader and the Epson driver ( I have an Epson 3880 ).  I send RGB photographs through it, as well as CMYK proofs.  Very happy with the results which come very close to monitor. ... View more

My laptop does not show too much banding and you will get that in a GIF.  My only suggestion would be to keep the photo of the group in all three screens and slow the transitions down ( if possible ).  The small text is still a problem, but not sure you can go much bigger. ... View more

Here's a 72ppi Export > JPG @ 300x250... just barely readable.  Some important ifo such as web site URL clearly should be larger.  Pardon my makeshift logo ( position only ).  Like previously suggested, try to get a larger sized ad, because if you cannot read it, what's the point? ... View more

I typeset your ad as a test... It doesn't have the logo, sorry.  But the above is an Export > JPG @ 150ppi out of Illustrator ( oops, just noticed some spacing problems ).  I used Myriad Pro Semi-bold and bold.  The smallest size is 8pt.  With some minor leading changes, the logo should fit.  Another option would be to reduce the bottom bar thickness.  But, the point is, the text is readable and crisp.  At this size.  When setting text ( White ) in Black, always increase the boldness and kerning. ... View more

What type of monitor are you viewing the ad on?  What is the resolution set to on your monitor?  Do you need transparency?  Try Exporting > JPG > RGB @ 150ppi.  Open that JPG in Photoshop and take a look at it.  Aside from what everyone else has recommended, your layout can be adjusted slightly to improve the User's experience.  Mainly, increase the size of the small text and select a "semi-bold" font ( something that will not fill-in ). ... View more