Right, so you should have 4 grayscale files. Look for Image > mode > bitmap; save the new file using a new name so you do not get confused. In the bitmap dialogs is where you set the shape and frequency of the halftone pattern. Sent from my iPhone ... View more

Once the Photoshop files are ready, print each channel on vellum at 100% Grayscale.  If you manage to pull this off, you should get an A++. ... View more

Oh, forgot.  Setup center marks on your Illustrator comp file.  Set the artboard size about an inch larger than it is now.  Set an invisible holding line to the size of the artboard ( 0% Stroke, 0% Fill ) and lock it ( Object > Lock Selection ).  On the center marks, create them at 1/2 pt @ 100%C, 100%M, 100%Y, 100%K.  These will be used to align the screens during makeready, then will be taped out during the print process. ... View more

Here's what I do... 1.)  Export your comp as a 150ppi TIFF @ CMYK; 2.)  Open the TIFF in Photoshop > Channels > Split Channels; 3.)  Convert each channel to 1-bit > in the conversion dialogs, look for Ellipse in the Shape dialog; 4.)  Here's the tricky part.  As part of these steps, you have to assign a screen angle and frequency to each channel.  Start with C = 15 degrees; M = 75 degrees; Y = 0 degrees;  K = 15 degrees; use a screen frequency of 65 lines per inch.  What's tricky about this is the shirt's sewing pattern will affect your screen angle and the actual "screen" will affect your screen frequency ( you will need the maximum screen mesh to do process color work ). Do some research by calling a local or online creen print vendor and ask them what they use for your shirts.  This will give you a heads up on how to set each channel's halftone screen in Photoshop.  Hopefully, none of your class mates read these forums. ... View more

"PostScript worked with 72 points per inch" Still does. ... View more

So, keep the original artwork intact and do your modifications on a "copy" of the original.  This gives you the ability to go back in the future.  What I would do is use the "add" anchor point tool and create an anchor point on each end of the zig zag ( basicly figure out how much you need to shorten the line and add an anchor point on each end ) >  then, use the "subtract" anchor point tool ( in the Pen tool palette ) and click on the lines at the end of your original artwork ( thereby deleting them ). ... View more

There are ways of finding out what the color is.  The problem is you are talking about heat transfer.  But, your inquiry falls well within many similar circumstances out there.  I know there are color meter divices and I think XRite may have something.  It's basicly a piece of hardware that, when placed over a color, can give you color values digitally.  Another way is to take a printed Pantone color guide book swatch fan-book and compare different swatches to see which one matches the closest.  You would physically align a swatch to the color on the shirt.  Another way would be to contact the person who created the shirt's artwork in the first place.  But, you probably don't want to do that. ... View more

I was talking about print matches, maybe I could have been more clear.  The advantage to spot color is they can be consistent in a print environment.  What is seen on one's monitor will deviate.  But, I digress.  ... View more

Another option for you is to just use the 5773 spot color reference number and, because your case is an "open loop" working environment, avoid any CMYK conversion reference.  End user will then be responsible for matching the spot color via whatever working spaces they use or their vendor uses.  Not all Pantone spot colors were re-formulated under Bridge.  Some were left alone, while others like 5773 were given a formulation update.  And, not all Pantone spot colors can be converted to LAB, CMYK, RGB.  The match simply will not happen even under the best circumstances ( just look at side-by-side samples in the Pantone Solid-to-Process Guide. ... View more

When setting a branding guide, you ultimately are the person setting the color formulations. If you determine, through a series of tests, the bridge formula is more accurate under certain color management settings, than Pantone's standard CMYK formula, then you establish that in your branding guide. Make sure you spell out how you arrived at your decision ( paper, printer, color settings, etc. ). Branding guides are all about communication. Sent from my iPhone ... View more

Pantone Bridge CMYK a redo formulations ( in an effort to generate a closer match due to the improvements in desktop proofers.  The Illustrator formula is standard CMYK percentages suitable for offset printing. ... View more

How would you create the larger flare in the sky?  Not the flare, but the larger rays? ... View more

"Or any other convenient tools I can use?"... Not really.  I understand you want to create a transparent Black line behind the crosses or "x's"?  You might try using the "Knife" tool on that segment ( on a copy of the file ) or Pathfinder > Divide, but those tools will allow you to remove that portion of the line. ..."can I gradient the color I already filled on artwork? I found the gradient tools only let me select the color from the color panel"... Select the color element from your artwork you'd like to use in the gradient > add a swatch of that color to the swatch palette > using the Gradient palette, drag the new swatch to the gradient palette.  Do that for all the colors you want to create in the Gradient. ... View more

1.)  Use the link artwork as a template; 2.)  Create another Layer; 3.)  Use the top Layer as your drawing layer; 4.)  Draw the middle triangle first; duplicate it for the upper two triangles > rotate each to position into place > modify each to match existing; 5.)  Use Reflection tool ( Horizontal copy ) to create the bottom two triangles > move into position; 6.)  Create a gradient and apply to match existing. ... View more

Check that all strokes have no ( White ) fills. ... View more

Maximum res out of Illustrator is 2400ppi.  I ran another test thinking I could input 2540, but Illustrator max'd out at 2400ppi.  So, if I wanted to get a resolution of, say 5080ppi, I'd enlarge the vector artwork around 250%, export at 2400 and resize in Ps 50% to 5080ppi. ... View more

If you absolutely must use .jpg, you will have to match whatever background color you are using ( web, print, interactive, etc. ) in the background of your .jpg. ... View more

Save As > .psd or Save As > .png ... View more

What color mode is your file?  What colors are used in your grayscale gradient?  Double check your blending modes and overprint settings ( if any ). ... View more

Yes, you are correct, Ray.  Forgot about "other".  Just ran a test on a logo, opened in Ai > Export > Other 1200ppi Grayscale.  I then opened the Grayscale file and converted it to bitmap, 1-bit Black and White.  I probably would experiment with both 2540ppi and 5080ppi, just to see what happens. ... View more

"I was wondering if I still need to rasterize my line work when I'm working on an exact size of paper that I want print or show." You lost me.  Why all the trouble?  Why wouldn't you be able to "print or show" at "exact size"?  Your workflow sounds off. "So I have my drawings on letter paper and whenever I rasterize the line work and export it as png the resolution is still too bad." The problem is the highest resolution is 300ppi.  For line work, you need a minimum of 1200ppi @ 100%.  All the more reason to keep the artwork vector.  A possible workaround would be to enlarge a copy of the original artwork to 35"w x 44" h > Export as .tiff @ 300ppi ( grayscale? ).  Then, in Photoshop, reduce back to 8.5w x 11" h @ 1200ppi. "It would be nice if I can know what's the best way to save or export the line work to work with photoshop later..." Could you explain why you have to go to Photoshop?  Why rasterize?  Something's missing. ... View more

You shouldn't have to "export" the file.  Their site must give you the ability to "upload" your file.  Something where, when prompted, you select the file and their script uploads it to their site. ... View more

If it's vector...yes.  The file will need to be adjusted because the vertical size will be cropped or cutoff to make the 24" ( will end up 30" if enlarged 600%, I think you knew that already ). ... View more

"It is also quite simple to get the right resolution in raster images and raster effects (Effect>Document Raster Effects Settings), just multiply the needed final resolution by 10." Are you sure about that?  Image resolution is cut in half with every 200% enlargement. ... View more

Try this... - The only thing that I would advise changing is the logo on the right of one side. At the moment it is in a ‘4-colour’ black swatch, if you change that so it is in the same black  (0,0,0,k:100) like the other text, it will be much safer for printing at this spec. Confirm by selecting the logo's color  and then > Select Similar Stroke and Fill > with Rich Black elements selected, change the color to 100% K.  - there is an outline/stroke around the edge of that type that is still in the old black swatch. Best to change that swatch too (or remove the ‘stroke’ if you don’t want it) You did that already with the "Select Similar" step above. Send the result to the printer and see if it now complies with their workflow.  Rich Black has a weird way of creeping into where it does not belong.  For instance, many RGB Blacks convert to Rich Black or "4-colour black" and font text from Word documents.  Always review your artwork before sending it to be printed. ... View more

Don't use .png.  Instead, use .psd.  Whatever is transparent in the .png you delete in the .psd ( the .psd becomes transparent when you convert "background" layer to "Layer 1" ).  Then, Place the .psd in your .ai file then convert ( a copy ) to .eps.  All raster effects and transparency will ultimately be flattened when saved as .eps; so make sure you do it on a copy of the original .ai file.  When you open the .eps ( in Photoshop? ) the transparency will be retained.  The way you are constructing of the logo is not recommended.  Always create logos as vector artwork. ... View more

Yes.  It might be a good idea to get a third party disk utility like Disk Warrior or Disk Tools.  If they are still available for your OS.  If not, just google "disk utilities".  You should get something robust that can defragment and clean system files ( similar to Onyx ). ... View more