Packaging design

[yellow69]

Hi,
I am working on a packaging design. It is 2 colour to be printed on a brown cardboard box. I have Mac CS2.

1. How do i change the colour of an image (photo) to be used on the box cover to one colour only?
2. The logo. Do I convert the logo from an illustrator ai file into a pdf or an eps? Then i can change the colour of it and change the shape of it without it distorting. It is currently an illustrator file.
3. What is the difference when something is printed when using SPOT, Coated or uncoated pantone colours? The two colours i am using are pantone cmyk.

The packaging design is in illustrator Cs2.

I know, I should know this...

Thanking those who reply very much.

[tscreative]

Wow thats a lot of questions; you are basicly looking for an semesters worth of Print Production in a single post!

First, question: Simply change the image to a black and white and instuct the printer which color you want it to print in. You can also import it and change it to a single color in InDesign or Illustrator by selecting with the Direct Select tool and apply the color of choice. I won't explain why this works, but it does.

Second: Theoretically, the logo can easily be changed in Illustrator simply by selecting the various elements of the logo and changing the fills/lines to the color of choice. Of course, this is assuming everything is solid colors and have no gradations or blends; that's a whole 'nother animal

Third: A Spot Color simply means that you are asking for a Specific color for printing, i.e. PMS 247, as opposed to a process color (CMYK). Coated and uncoated refers more to the paper and not necessarily the color. Inks are formulated to print on papers depending on its finish, coated or uncoated, for purposes of adherance, drying, opacity etc. Technically, they should be the same color, but in reality they can look different, significantly so in some cases, it all depends on the ink color.

Lastly: There can be a world of difference between a Pantone color and a CMYK color. A Pantone CMYK means that it is a special formula mix from CMYK separations that is meant to SIMULATE the solid Pantone color (this is not as easy as it sounds, but I can't go into that now). If you want a two color job, change the colors to two solid Pantone Colors and make sure it is listed as Book Color or Spot Color in the color menu and NOT CMYK!

[yellow69]

Thank you.

The logo needs to be enlarged without being distorted. I have placed it into the illustrator file, the logo being an eps file but I have found that certain elements of it change in size. Should I make the logo a jpg so this does not happen? I thought that if the logo was an eps it wouldn't do this but when imported into the illustrator file it changes shape when enlarged. Argh!

[tscreative]

Just because its an eps file does not mean it's and Illustrator file and placing something or opening a file in Ilustrator does not make it so. First look to see if any of the layers are locked and check to see if it has an embedded image file, like a JPEG or a TIFF. If its possible, try and convert everything to vectors, which will elimate problems with resizing or resolution. If you convert it to a JPEG, you will have to make sure that the final file as well as any embedded images are set to a resolution appropriate for the size of the file.

Also, if you want a image to scale proportionally, hold down the shift key as you scale it, so that it does not distort.

[yellow69]

Hi,

Thank you.

The logo i created in Illustrator, converted to outline and saved as an eps then placed the eps logo into the illustrator file which is the final design. I enlarged it and fixed it here. It is a linked attachment. All seems to be okay with it and it has now gone to print - the box is almost the size of a tall bookcase. So hope all goes well.

[tscreative]

Well, actually, since the logo is now an Illustrator file, you didn't need to import it, just copy and past.

Hope it turned out okay for you.