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1. STEP 1 Choose your printer Set your page preferences formerly known as properties Next go to the COLOR Tab of the PRINT Window 4 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Corel X3 and X4 Ganaral okt Saparations Layout Proprass PostScript ay bio Essuas Print gong ccsite iO Print gaparatians Vise documenti coor saitin Lind coor prca settings Coral DRAM CMYK Convert spot cakara to CHIE Correct colors using color profik U S Wied Cotto SAVOP wt Pracere OME numbars Bandarine intent Rilate colorinreairic The color sattings awailable in this diskeg ana cet far a PostScript printar which ig the printer bpe that you sakiched on tha General tab ene cma ae Hap STEP 2 Choose PRINT Separations The Composite Tab will now change to SEPARATIONS Ganaral colr Separations Layout Proprass PostScript I ien Ma Escusas Document cvarprints Fracirvi s Screen Traguericy Default bi PostScript Trapping Options Auborrentic trapping Tima 13 pt Aui spreading Etead width 14 0 pt Shoe gmpty plates F Fd White Base i G E a BLG F cok F E Purple 1 ar _ Print Prawn STEP 3 Click the SEPARATIONS Tab Choose all of the colors you wish to print Assign any and all other Print Window options that you desire then click PRINT Oar Fraquency Print all bast in back Akaya p2. Spot Process _ eparation Studio On Screen and On Press SOFTWARE USER MANUAL The Screen Print Industries Most Accurate Easy To Use and Highly Productive Raster and Tonal Image Color Separation Software On Screen and On Press Accurate to a Tee W E L Spot Process Separation Studio is the latest version of the industries FIRST MOST ACCURATE and EASIEST TO USE tonal image color separation software designed for screen printers by screen printers Making fast and easy work of high end raster tonal image color separating revolutionized the industry in 1995 when Freehand Graphics Inc released Spot Process the Photoshop Plug In It has been widely accepted and proven as the best color separation engine and the company has been 0 M E recognized as delivering the best technical support to its users From Freehand s first software release in 1995 plug in to this NEW version stand alone application user s have been provided free fully functional trials as well as free technical support Not every company can do this or is willing to You have made the best choice in soft ware and in the company that develops and supports it Please enjoy the software and we wish you great business success ey 2 ay amp www softwareforscreenprinters com Accurate ta a lee What s New Besides just about everything Separation Studio is still driven by the acclaimed color algorithm that is Spot Process
3. BLACK by default the 1 5 press position When printing on Black garments the Black Channel is not necessary Print Order Press Position The order shown of the Color Channels on screen indicate the proper and proven order for on press It is important to follow the order since it is a proven method All custom made spot screens metallics specialty etc should be added to the end of the Separation Studio Colors CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations you read the manual Separating outputting and screen printing high end tonal image separations is easy and better yet a very desirable and profitable technique Even after just a few separations and press runs you will be very skilled at the process Spot Process Separation Studio is head and shoulders better than any other method or software Through our FREE trials and global user base it is proven every day From the very first release back in 1995 to this amazing NEW Version released in 2010 screen printers have been provided with the ability to deliver the best Thank you for choosing Spot Process Separation Studio We wish you great business success 55 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Contact Info ae i a Freehand Graphics Inc 31 Ridgefield Drive Shoreham NY 11786 USA 631 744 4330 PH Sales Department 631 821 3670 FX email tech softwareforscreenprinterstech com www softwareforscreenprinters com Learn more about being a quality printer and grow
4. and accurate vibrant results http www softwareforscreenprinterstech com separation studio 28 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio ae R Artwork File Preparation pre separation Image Resolution When working with raster images scans digital photos Photoshop files jpegs TIFFs etc choose your image resolution between 100 and 150 dpi when there isn t text or hard edges This is proper image handling and highly recommended Image quality is retained with lower memory while processor and print out speed remain fast When working with raster files with text and or hard edges choose your resolution between 200 and 300 dpi while working on the full size image to improve the quality of hard edges This will dramatically increase your file size and increase processing and print out time but is necessary to create as clean a result with raster image files Image Quality Your image should be of high quality high contrast good shadow values sharp clear color corrected and not dull A dull or washed out image will yield dull results Spot Process Separation Studio is designed to reproduce your image as accurately as possible and therefore a poor quality image will yield an accurate poor quality print Low res images from the web are almost always terrible to work with so avoid them Jpeg images can also be poor quality Learn all you can about image editing so you can develop the best art
5. i erabon naa fin Cener image JA a ro Bemambarde disabili celer m i Top Mi indha printer dialog baa 2 Decumers Proite cica ECR EGES 2 E Printer Profila i fool Prote MiA bii l Gotha ret Bonang ADE Appie BOB Sealed Print Sies R rdirino lHteri a Pe mr kaa ai Pg anaes Colars M Fit Megi h ieee Relatres Coker metric rals jaa ag lek Poimi Compensation I 3 Haake a333 78 Praal stHp iMicith 7 ei 433 Wording THYE Fak Fon CON pII Prind Resolution 336 PR aes A Pa Poal Sertus Working CADE 50 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Output Halftones ae Color Separation Output printing film positives Once you have completed the adjustments to your separations and have followed the instructions for bringing your separated file into a graphics program Adobe Illustrator or InDesign Corel Draw Quark XPress you are ready to output the file as film positives Spot Process Separation Studio files will output as spot color halftones therefore your will be screen printing halftones We have provided valuable information on pre press and on press This system is a proven method for over 2 decades and millions of impressions We strongly suggest you follow these guidelines so you can enjoy the same success thousands of screen printers have You will be printing from a postscript device laser printer or a non postscript device inkjet
6. s Fluid Mask or Corel s KnockOut2 A eel Scere a 285 fe TEU AMER Image on a BLACK Background Image on a TRANSPARENT Background The gray and white checkerboard pattern indicates a transparency 33 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio ae k http www softwareforscreenprinterstech com separation studio Let s Color Separate QUICK OVERVIEW for Separating Adjusting and Saving your Separations Once your files have been prepared properly for your print needs its a simple matter of opening a file evaluating the raw channel result deleting unwanted or unneeded channels make a few adjust ments per channel save the file and import it into a graphics program that supports DCS2 eps files Using the tools and features of that program manage print the separations Done Separation Studio handled all the hard parts of the process and delivered superior separations in print order with colors assigned Just follow the directions and print High end separations and prints are possible for you and your clients se Warning Never try to separate any file that has a white or colored background other than black Separation Studio will see the background color A M E id A C N and add it to separated Channels to be printed A gare Maz u i This is NOT a CMYK method of color separation pap AEN iA re it s RGB based and white is a color that is under stood and controlled your Base and White
7. Counts AUTOMATIC Printing Presses Suggested Mesh Counts for Automatic Machines United States 230 mesh or 355 mesh Suggested Mesh Counts for Automatic Machines European Metric 90T mesh or 140T mesh MANUAL Printing Presses Manual printers will want to drop the above suggested mesh counts slightly Too much and the print will loose much of its detail and secondary colors Due to the amount of variables with this method of printing each shop will have to go on its experience and testing Start with 280 mesh United States Start with 110T mesh European Metric 53 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Halftones ae Screen Printing Ink A great aspect to printing separations created using Separation Studio is using HIGH QUALITY inks on press From their ease of use to the brightness they deliver high quality inks create sharper cleaner and more vibrant results than cmyk translucent inks The end result will also deliver a soft hand feel and not a bullet proof feel associated with other forms of printing or through other solutions The stock colors associated with this software are PMS matches of the RGB light spectrum colors You will appreciate having a standard and relatively small set of inks for printing ALL of your Separation Studio files These colors are spectral and will also be great choices for all your printing needs You can select the matches from the charts provided by the indu
8. Printing Separations Quark XPress InDesign Photoshop ae Quark XPress and InDesign 1 Create picture boxes and Import Place the DCS2 eps file as you would any other file The spot colors associated with the file are automatically added to the swatch and color palettes 2 Your seps appear as a single scalable file ready to print All spot colors are automatically added to the Swatch Color Palette These colors may be used with vector elements combining your raster and vector elements for professionally clean and perfect films 3 Operate your design application normally these high end seps are as easy to print as simple spot color vector designs Photoshop CS3 and CS4 1 OPEN the Separation Studio saved DCS2 eps file into Photoshop Select the Channels you wish to output and all of the viewable Channels will print You Print the file by going to the PRINT Window in Photoshop You can print the whole file or individual Channels TIP Photoshop MUST be set to NO COLOR MANAGEMENT Change the Output option to Color Management and set Color Handling to NO COLOR MANAGEMENT IMPORTANT Photoshop CS5 Info CS5 has a new workflow For details see our Video online http www softwareforscreenprinterstech com separation studio Printers ArqufllP to Epsom 4680 CPrafile Vinag Foci Copies 1 D cFrafilg Hatt p Page Setup AE Calar Hardline Seige Mage mer H Poston T
9. begin using Separation Studio Your dongle is the most important part of the software and should be cared for properly Lost or damaged dongles can be replaced contact Freehand for replacement costs Terms of Agreement are provided at software installation Read the Manual and visit the web site for any additional documentation or videos so you can get the finest results possible Expect great results INSTALLATION Troubleshooting Help for common installation questions are at http www softwareforscreenprinterstech com option to submit a Rapid Response Support Request or review our KNOWLEDGEBASE Email tech softwareforscreenprinterstech com 4 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE ae a RESOURCES This manual is a great resource for learning about Separation Studio As one of the industries greatest software solutions with an easy User Interface you should expect GREAT RESULTS Part of the process of high end color separating with Spot Process Separation Studio involves file preparation and film output Understanding how to build a quality file will result in better looking prints Understanding all the great features of the graphics applications you will output your files from will make this process easy and predictable We encourage you to learn all you can about your vector Illustration and raster Photoshop Painter programs Your best resource is FREE visit WWW SOftwareforscreenprinterstech com Knowled
10. edits een Polygon Tool Click different locations on screen to create a selection area of straight lines Allows local area control of adjustments and edits P Select Tool Click and Drag to create a selection area Allows local area control of adjustments and edits Lasso Tool The feather feature allows you to set a soft edge for the selection Special Feature You can change the feather setting even after you have made a selection Maximum range is 99 pixels 10 UD User Tip You can combine grow selections by holding down the SHIFT key on the key board while drawing a new selection To remove reduce a portion of a previous selection hold the Alt or Option key on the keyboard while drawing a new selection To Deselect a selection area just double click within the selection area choose Deselect from the Edit menu or use the keyboard shortcut different for Mac and Windows Command or Control D Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Tools Explained ae Saturate Tool Saturates darkens Channel Data which increases channel film density allowing for greater ink flow on press resulting in brighter color areas Special features allow for precise control See Tool Settings Window for tool options Desaturate Tool Desaturates lightens Channel Data which decreases Channel film density allowing for less ink flow on press resulting in darker print areas Special features allow for precise control
11. file possible Why Garbage in garbage out Important Visit our web site for support documents and videos www softwareforscreenprinters com File Tip You have a great opportunity to color separate your raster image file in Separation Studio and then combine it PLACE IMPORT into an Illustration program with vector images hard edge graphics and text Color the vector elements and text with the Separation Studio Spot Colors or add additional spot colors Your results will be even sharper and cleaner than separating vector and text as rasters in Separation Studio Do this as often as you can It is very simple and you will love the results In the output section of this manual additional information is provided 29 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio ae R Artwork File Preparation pre separation File Format Separation Studio has expanded the file formats that can be separated Users of Spot Process VueRite had separated RGB TIFFs only The list of supported file formats is long with the most popular being TIFFs EPS JPEGs It s best to work in the RGB color recommended for best quality results of color images plus it is needed when working with tranparencies for use in Separation Studio Separation Studio does NOT create limited cmyk separations RGB is the broader gamut Cropped Images and Non Cropped Images eT a Example Undefined border Some of the colors even fade aw
12. for better overall color Start by changing the adjustment to 95 USER TIP Overprinting more than 20 White has a large effect on any color For bright saturated color be sure to monitor and adjust the Final White Channel as desired High Saturation Low Saturation 16 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Proof Positive Menu Generate Black Menu ae a SeparationStudio File Edit Channels Generate Black View Window AnA fs Fa Ground Color Black i r Diameter Proof Positive Menu Here you can turn on and off the view of individual Channels as well as Show ALL turn on the view and Hide ALL turn off the view of ALL Channels at the same time user tip you can right click in the main file window and handle the same function SeparationStudio File Edit Channels Proof Positive View Window Generate Black es a hed comes MEGlack jt r Diameter Generate Black Menu As part of the Spot Process Color Separation algorithm you can create three levels of special Black Channels to fit your need Black Channels are important to the success of printing on all color garments and grounds except black Preset options make it easy to succeed From File DELIVERS BEST RESULT Itis advised to use this feature over the from document feature Creates a Black Channel from a saved file Select the style that is best for your need locate your duplicate file the one with a white or transparent back
13. separations from the SEPARATIONS Tab of Corel s PRINT Window exact screen image shown previously EBDE Keak i ed zp a ca ga aa K w c Ae NEE E alll r ge oy B 47h z lt Snaeto l a puo da g Ht Tire oer TE eee Tone ees 76 Color Palette Mana NE leee e a Palette Libreries d Process 7 di Spo 20 shades of Grey w MY pelete pefm piete Percent Gray R pakeite H anA hRg aea A EY re i apf Custom Color Palette created from spot colors in the EPS file available to color vector elements The Frequency Angle and Dot Shape may or may not be applicable with your output this depends on the RIP you are using for file output Regardless of line screen always choose the same SINGLE ANGLE for all colors 22 5 degrees is highly recommended to eliminate moir For more information about choosing line screens frequency dpi Ipi angles print order colors etc see the Color Separation Output section located in this manual 2 http www softwareforscreenprinterstech com separation studio 45 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Illustrator Printing Separation Studio Separations from Adobe Illustrator CS5 a Instructions for earlier versions of Adobe Illustrator are located in the Video Caf at E http www softwareforscreenprinterstech com separation studio 1 Create a new page in Ad
14. wish to adjust this channel using the lighten adjustment sliders Best advice is to properly adjust your color image pre separation and allow Spot Process to create fantastic browns as secondary and tertiary colors Merge Merge Grey Merge Purple Merge Turquoise These features individually combine Channels to reduce the amount of screens needed for the final print Nothing is better than using the primary color Channels on press for total control but in times when press space is limited or budgets do not allow then merging screens is a great way to save space and money while still achieving great results Merge all 3 for instant ColorCrunch results 14 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Channels Menu ae 4 R Channels Menu continued Merge Purple splits the Purple channel data between the Red and Blue Channels resulting in a blue purple change Merge Turquoise merges data to the Blue channel closest related hue resulting in a blue change Merge Grey is the best of the merge features merging data to final white channel Most accurate result its advised to adjust the gray channel saturate data before merging as the data will more subtle than the original channel intensity Saturating prior to merging allows the result to be more accurate to the desired result Further channel merging can be done using the Apply Channel feature also located under the Channels Menu ColorCrunch 1999 was the sister program to Sp
15. you move either of the sliders the saturation of the color in the targeted area for that color Channel will change accordingly You can work inside the SELECTION area default or Inverse the Selection and work on the area outside of the Selection Once you select OK the settings will be applied 38 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio ae Targeted Adjustments Why is this NEW Feature so valuable Targeted Adjustments allow you to adjust a particular section of a color Channel In this example we want to adjust the front red panel of the soccer ball only and NOT effect any other red data Using the Lasso Tool we isolated the section and adjusted the Saturation The Selection Features in Spot Process Separation Studio allow local adjustments giving the user ultimate control of their images Marquis shows the targeted area being effected oa SC_ERUPT if Proof Positive Ey m F T Adjust by Saturation Range eco 77 onset Low Saturation eevecrreeenepete ate a Undo Feature You have up to 10 undo s by default to undo adjustments or any moves you have made within Separation Studio The software Preferences can be adjusted to an undo number you prefer 39 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Corel ae a FILE OUTPUT INSTRUCTIONS When your separated file has been saved automatically saves as a dcs2 eps file it is time to PLACE IMPORT or OPEN Photoshop
16. Color settings Description Chose a color mode for your image Image on a Transparent Background PhotoPaint s Create A New Image Window 32 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio ae a NOT ALL BACKGROUNDS ARE CREATED EQUAL How to prep file backgrounds for printing on a BLACK garment Let s say you have an art file that will JUST print on a Black garment You will just need an image on a Black or transparent background PSD or a cropped image If the image other than a cropped image has any other color background you will need to change the background to BLACK or transparent PSD so Separation Studio can separate the image properly and deliver all the proper color Channels white base all spectral colors top white How to prep file backgrounds for printing on WHITE or any color garment Let s say you have an art file that will print on a White or color garment You will need the image ona transparent background This is critical so Separation Studio can separate the image properly and deliver all the proper color Channels for screen printing white base black all spectral colors top white as proper film positives Extracting an image off of a flattened background during file preparation requires a procedure called MASKING This is pre separation design work and a skill artists should already have Learn this valuable skill or get Auto masking software such as Vertus Tech
17. ON Create custom Textile sets using color values measured and supplied by Textile manufacturers This prevents you from making colors that are unrealistically bright on screen Click the More button to add filtering options to sort through multiple manufacturer color sets Click to add new colors Click to remove colors Click Edit to edit an existing color Here you can change names edit color create or add to manufacturer colors create a series within a manufacturer or simply add helpful notes for future reference Maalari Genii Chicago And Aussell Hasketball e Berian Winter Cairn Hota Cemais and Gave Cien Tectile Color Frachares Factary Greehorci Fartary i Ja o l z i l ov Em igna Ta ETS TI CEEE C oe me 11 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Edit Menu ae Edit Menu continued Ink Mapping Allows you to assign stock or custom inks to the programs default startup ink set A very advanced user tool It is strongly advised to stick to the standard and proven Spot Process ink color set and not to alter these colors unless you have a very specific need and tested the results that altering these colors can cause Ink mapping can be used to customize Separation Studio to use a different color or set of colors when Spot Process separates an image Since Spot Process uses a specific set of RGB value colors to reproduce images just like CMYK has a standard set It
18. See Tool Settings Window for tool options Tool Options Saturate Tool Desaturate Tool Diameter controls the size of the tool Diameter is displayed on screen as a circle called the target area Hardness controls the edge of the brush Tool edging can be hard or soft The result always remains within the tools target area for greater control 0 is a soft airbrush effect while 100 is a hard solid effect Range allows you to set the style of tones the tool effects Choose from High Medium and Low Saturation for greater control Tool Options Eraser Tool Erases removes Channel Data Special features allow for precise control See Tool Settings Window for tool options Diameter controls the size of the tool Diameter is displayed on screen as a circle called the target area Hardness controls the edge of the brush Tool edging can be hard or soft The result always remains within the tools target area for greater control 0 is a soft airbrush effect while 100 is a hard solid effect 93 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Windows Explained ae Software Windows Explained Most Windows and Palettes are dockable then lockable You can arrange your workspace to suit your need and screen size Windows may be hidden to create greater space on screen See Window Menu to hide and show Windows Active Channels When making Channel edits on the full color Proof Positive Window you can select the exact Ch
19. T Channels for the Transparency option to be available in en tare a the Photoshop SAVE RGB TIF Option Window If even CY FIP slower saves smaller files one Channel is filled 100 then the option will not be C Discard Layers and Save a Copy i available 3 l Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio AE ae Transparent Background Information Corel PhotoPaint Users of Corel Photo Paint will need to create one file flattened to a BLACK background and then an additional file flattened to a WHITE background The Black background image is used when creating the Spot Process Separation Studio color channels with the exception of black The White background image is used with the BLACK CHANNEL Generator When running the Black Channel Generator simply Browse and locate the file with the White background Note you do not need to create a Black Channel when only printing on a black garment Users of PhotoPaint that also have Photoshop If you prefer to work in PhotoPaint AND own Photoshop you can work in transparencies in PhotoPaint but EXPORT the transparent file as a PSD file Next reopen the PSD file in Photoshop and resave it as a TIFF with Transparency see instructions on page 31 ready for Separation Studio gt Screan Print Sap cpt Preset destination Custom a Size aran Width ag inches amo s BHE paali dpi Backgrou Color mode Oe 24 5 RGE TET H jram 1
20. Top Channels will be surrounded with data appearing to be a negative rather than a positive OVERVIEW STEPS 1 Open a file to be separated Separation Studio automatically separates the file into color Channels showing you a raw preview first look Channels are in print order 2 Evaluate the Channels deciding what Channels to delete merge and keep Note the top white controls most of the details of the image so regardless of the garment color s you will print on we suggest you keep this Channel 34 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio ae k OVERVIEW STEPS continued 3 Using the editing tools available in Separation Studio select Channels and make selections of specific areas to adjust the density of the data using the desaturate and saturate tools and sliders or do universal adjustments to Channels 4 Save the file Separation Studio saves all files as a DCS2 eps file retaining all spot color Channel data You can REOPEN your file in Separation Studio if you later decide to make edits 5 Import the file into your favorite graphics program that supports the DCS2 eps format eg Illustrator Draw Quark InDesign Using the tools and features of that chosen program manage and print the spot color separations as ususal Done QUICK OVERVIEW for Separating for BLACK garments only When printing on a black garment a black printing Channel is NOT required The garment color will hand
21. aarprirk bak Print separations jn colar Use ackanced sattings lt a 7 Po Anga Grp 600000 45 0000 ALO m 000 SMO 45 0 AIE 45 Moo CUD 45 0000 4 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Corel X3 and X4 AZ The Frequency Angle and Dot Shape may or may not be applicable with your output this depends on the RIP you are using for file output RIPs may override settings Regardless of line screen always choose the same SINGLE ANGLE for all colors 22 5 degrees is highly recommended to eliminate moir For more information about choosing line screens frequency dpi Ipi angles print order colors etc see the Color Separation Output section located in this manual WANT TO ADD ELEMENTS to your file before outputting 1 gt Bp Fates You re going to need a color oa Poem unos palette to match the imported 24 dina Gry CE pastis file colors The colors in this a Fn pute Fill Bap Ay poste palette will help you color added vector elements logos type This is so you can get professional output with clean vector and halftone raster images on the same film separation For example you can add text copy and color it with the same Red from your Separation Studio color separation so the vector and the raster Red elements will output to the same film HOW TO DEVELOP THE COLOR PALETTE 1 Go to the PRINT Window
22. ace Lock Tool bars holds all Window positions Cascade cascades all open Windows based on available screen space Tile tiles all open Windows based on available screen space New window opens a new Channel Window All open files are displayed at the bottom of this menu Checked files are active 20 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Tools Explained ae i Separation Studio Tools Explained Separation Studio Tools Drag Zoom Lasso Polygon Lasso Select Saturate Desaturate Eraser Drag Tool Drags scrolls a zoomed in image allowing you to see various sections of the image Zoom Tool Click in the image area to magnify click and drag for a fast zoom or use key board commands different for Mac or Windows of Command Control or Zoom Tool options are displayed in the Tool Settings Window Fit On Screen Maximizes the Window size based on screen space then shows the entire image in the Window lt j Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Tools Explained ae i z Separation Studio Tools Explained continued Zoom All Windows matches the zoom factor in all open Channel Windows User Tip The smaller the drag area the greater the magnification Command 0 or Control 0 brings the image back to full screen Command 1 or Control 1 maximizes size to actual pixel dimension Lasso Tool Click and Drag to create a freeform selection area Allows local area control of adjustments and
23. annel or group of Channels you wish to control Colors with a check mark are active Channels Channels Shows small previews of each Channel Right click each Channel for a list of options Options include Open in a New Window Edit Channel Properties Delete Channel Duplicate Channel and Adjust Channel Densitometer Window This is a slim multi layer densitometer designed to save screen space By default it is hidden The VueRite Window handles the same function so there is no need to have both on screen together If you decide to close the VueRite Window and use the NEW Channel Window for all your needs you ll need the Densitometer to display channel data percentages Ground Select Shows the current background color displayed Allows you to create and edit background colors Standard Window Displays File Open Green Arrow File Close Red X and Save Floppy Disk icons Tools Shows Tool bar containing Drag Zoom Selection Saturate Desaturate and Erase Tools Tool Settings Show the options available for each selected Tool JA Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Windows Explained ae a VueRite Channels Similar to the Channel Control Window from the previous Spot Process program Double click ona Channel name to bring up that Channel s High Saturation and Low Saturation adjustment slider Single click on the color swatch to open the Channel Properties where you can change the Channel name color and color press posi
24. ay to the background shirt cropped image has a defined border such aa as a square You can color separate cropped images AND images that have no defined border including color fades to the background garment There are different work flows for these two types of art files The color of garment you are printing on also matters as described below in Printing Scenarios A cropped image eg movie poster is the easiest type of file to prep and color separate It is ready to separate Simply OPEN the file through Separation Studio and you will have a full set of color separated CHANNELS excluding the Black Channel Then Run the Black Channel Generator to develop the Black Channel Together you have a full set of Channels ready to color adjust When the file is finished you have screen print friendly separations under base spectral colors black and top white for printing any color garment Preparing Files for different Printing Scenarios Overview DO THIS 1 Printing on a BLACK garment only use a cropped image an image on a black or transparent background Photoshop in TIF format All will produce proper results for black garment printing No need to generate a black printing Channel screen Step by Step on page 34 2 Printing on a WHITE or any COLOR garment Use a cropped image or an image on a transparent background Photoshop Step by Step on page 34 DON T DO THIS NEVER separate a file with a white or colored
25. background Spot Process will SEE THESE COLORS of your background and add the color data to your Channels 30 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio an a Important Information on Files with Undefined Borders most common user jobs The most common user file is an image with an undefined border such as one that fades to a background When working with undefined borders the easiest of the files to prep are those already in layered form Prepare Separation Studio software files with a transparent background and it delivers extracts ALL the colors needed for screen printing for any color garment Image with an Undefined Border arecarbrach Cy Biss E began Degen de at ot By Working with a flattened image Mask the image in Photoshop or PhotoPaint or an an auto masking plug in software such as i Fluid Mask by Vertus or Corel s KnockOut2 W AME R TE CAN SUPER NEW FEATURE oa gaco E pi EKG pie ere Spot Process Separation Studio NOW works Br with Transparent Layers WOW This saves time and makes it easier for the user TIFF Cations Image Compression i amp 4 MONE C Law Cancel ZIP PEG maalit Maxim m 3 Image on a Transparent Background Pixel Order ip irta raaraa FOUN Transparent Background Information C Per Channel RRGCHBI Byta Order ibm PC Adobe Photoshop demain Photoshop files must have nothing but TRANSPAREN
26. dd i cancel Helo e Place as encapsulated PostScript 40 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Corel X5 AZ custom registration marks colored with the REGISTRATION COLOR swatch supplied in the Corel UNIFORM FILL Window if desired 4 Go to the PRINT Window You should be prompted with a series of windows alerting you that Corel identifies each spot color contained in th EPS file Warning early releases of Corel X5 appear to be a little inconsistent and may not show these alert windows That does not mean it did not operate properly Manage the output of your separations as usual See the STEPS below CorapRoW There is an EPS or duotone file in this docursent that references Yo am ink called 1 White Base This ink was not found in any of the existing spat color palettes It has been added to the User Defined Inks palette Gamal Caor T Composite Layout Proprass PE Ho Eeswics paaaaamanananannnnnnnnnnnnana nananana Destination i Prier EPSON Staus Phate 1400 Saris Erainn Page Match orantaton Portrait T giaz Default printer Raddy Location usent Camar Print to fija Print rangi Copii Bo Cuprent document Dour nts Kumbar af popka L Curent page Jaiton jr Ly aft ap Evan Oi Print as bitrreap 10 dei Print style Cuesta Currant satinga noi siwi F Saja An Print Prowse ian Prine i Cancel lf Apph f Help
27. eens should be 25 newtons and higher to prevent screen roll Less screen roll produces more consistent registration Use tight screens Learn more about being a quality printer and grow your profits http www softwareforscreenprinters com blog 52 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Halftones ae k Mesh For best results use the SAME MESH COUNT on ALL SCREENS That s right the same mesh count Many screen printers believe they should use a lower mesh count on the base screen Why They believe the white ink needs a lower mesh count because it is so thick Today s base white inks are no thicker or thinner than any of the other inks used and since detail on the base screen is very important to the overall result of the print reducing the mesh count will also reduce detail captured during screen exposure Think about it All your films are produced with the same halftone size and angle so changing the mesh count ona single screen will certainly reduce that screens detail as compared to the other screens Also your sep arations have been produced mathematically the mathematics of how one color interacts with an other is exactly what producing secondary and tertiary color is all about Change the math and you change the result The base screen sets up all others so quality is important Learn more about being a quality printer and grow your profits http www softwareforscreenprinters com blog Mesh
28. gebase and Video Caf For assistance from a technician kindly submit a request for assistance through the RAPID RESPONSE SYS TEM also located at www softwareforscreenprinterstech com Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Eonge EBERT gun A i ap phra al E E fro mint m Hare ah me maiin bulbs oe aj el kat joe ed iw by iiiar iha dlja hid qi mie ay hic Ti ooh 2 LS LaF Users of Spot Process VueRite will immediately see the added value of this NEW version release The added advanced editing tools and features included within the Spot Process Separation Studio Software stand alone application gives the user even greater power to get the best image reproduction results without leaving the application and with greater speed than ever before Videos and Tech Support are available at www softwareforscreenprinterstech com Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Quick View Awg QUICK VIEW http www softwareforscreenprinterstech com separation studio Open File Close File Save File Separationnstudia File Edit Channels Proot Positiwe Generate Black Wiew Window Help Tifa Separation Studio Drag Zoom a L Syd f Fe d Lasso a F lj Te J a Polygon 7 Select Saturation Desaturation ae ai Eraser Descriptions of each Tool and Software feature of Spot Process Separation Studio are provided throughout this User Manual as well as in the software by way of conve
29. get area for greater control 0 is a soft airbrush effect while 100 is a hard solid effect Range allows you to set the style of tones the tool effects Choose from High Medium and Low Saturation for greater control 3 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio AZ Densitometer Reading Displays percentage value of the density UNIVERSAL COLOR CHANNEL ADJUSTMENTS Double click on a Channel Name not on the color box to its left and the Adjust by Saturation Range box will appear In this example the RED Channel name is selected Use the High Saturation and Low Saturation sliders to make adjustments to the whole Channel s color data High Saturation MMM Eneee Low Saturation BEE eenean Cancel TIP After clicking OK after the Adjust by Saturation Tool is moved the change will apply If you then reopen the slider it will revert back to its default position BUT the previous adjustment will remain Yes you can still adjust the same Channel again TARGETED COLOR CHANNEL ADJUSTMENTS L Select the Channel name you wish to color adjust by clicking once on the i Channel Window located on the very bottom of your screen Polygon Use one of the SELECTION Tools provided such as the LASSO POLYGON or Sind SELECT tool to target an area of your Channel Double click on a Channel Name not on the color box to its left and the Adjust by Saturation Range box will appear When
30. ground The Black Channel is created and placed into the proper print order Yes printing halftone blacks early is proper to achieve great color balance and control Channel data is better balanced with all Channels created from the same starting point 17 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Generate Black Menu ae f Generate Black Menu continued From Document Black Channel is more saturated than Channels created from file because the data is extracted from the Adjusted Channels Creates a Black Channel for the existing separated adjusted file Black Channels created this way tend to be slightly darker than channels created from saved files a Skeletal for a Black Channel that is strong in the shadow areas Great for dark garments that just need a little black assistance b Detailed for medium color garments that require better mid range control c Sharper for medium to light garments and images that require the highest level of detail through out the entire image Usually these channels require no added adjustments Like everything else it is directly related the quality of the original but with most files they are great as is 18 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE View Menu ae a ls Proof Positive Generate Black View Window Help Separation Studia rd Diameter 32px 7 Hardness sox Range View Menu Zoom feature choices Many of these features can be executed using ke
31. handle the black data of the image when printed If you are printing on a variety of colors including black you can use this workflow simply exclude the black printing screen for black garments 1 Open a file to be separated The file must be either cropped or a tif file with transparent layering Separation Studio automatically separates the file into color Channels showing you a raw preview first look Channels are in print order 2 From the Menu Generate Black choose From File then select the style of Black you wish for the image Skeletal is a light style used for dark color garments while Detailed and Sharper have more coverage and detail Sharper is the most detailed style black 3 Evaluate the Channels deciding what Channels to delete merge and keep Note the top white controls most of the details of the image so regardless of the garment color s you will print on we suggest you keep this Channel 4 Using the editing tools available in Separation Studio select Channels and make selections of specific areas to adjust the density of the data using the desaturate and saturate tools and sliders or do universal adjustments to Channels 5 Save the file Separation Studio saves all files as a DCS2 eps file retaining all spot color Channel data You can REOPEN your file in Separation Studio if you later decide to make edits 6 Import the file into your favorite graphics program that supports the DCS2 eps format eg Illustrat
32. his Channel to film or have to manage it in your graphics program No longer imported into the color palette as a useable spot color value NEW single file workflow Photoshop users can greatly reduce their workflow by creating a single file that will do all the separations for any print situation Separation Studio now handles the background as an independent function within the pro gram giving it control over transparent properties 1 Create a TIF layered file with a transparent back ground When saving select transparency in the TIF options window see pages 31 and 32 2 Now you can use this one file to create your initial set of separations used for printing on a black garment and the same file to generate the black channel used to print on white and colored garments just as you presently use a cropped image Easy fast and a great workflow enhancement FREE Videos online for Separation Studio and much more http www softwareforscreenprinterstech com video cafe Link to Separation Studio Specific Videos http www softwareforscreenprinterstech com separation studio Our Video Caf is loaded with instructional and informational videos about this software and much more ENJOY Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Valuable Technical Support Data and Videos are available on our web site www softwareforscreenprinters com Table of Contents ay Installation Trials and Purchasers Res
33. in Corel DRAW X5 You should be prompted with a series of windows alerting you that Corel identifies each spot color contained in the EPS file Warning early releases of Corel X5 appear to be inconsistent and may not show these alert windows That does not mean it did not Thera iz an EPS or ductone Mia in this acuma Tat referancat operate properly an ikes Al Wate Bice This ik i ret Ried in ari af the misting spoil color paettes E has beer sched to Pe User Defined Inks palete 43 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Corel ae A 2 Close the PRINT Window yes close the Window 3 Go to the TOOLS Menu gt Palette Editor Here you will see all the colors in the EPS file listed in the DOCUMENT PALETTE Corel X5 now uses a DOCUMENT PALETTE as a separate way of organizing imported spot colors Click OK to close the window Editor Add Color Delete Color ETETE EesatFaktta Selected Color Meme White base Treat as Spat x Componanis LOGS 1 Vihita Bme 4 Goto the Window Menu gt Color Palettes gt More Palettes Click on Document Palette to create a Document Color Palette Now a Document Palette appears with your spot colors Use these colors with your vector elements to create clean professional film separations 44 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Corel AY 5 When completed go ahead and PRINT your
34. is strongly advised that you DO NOT alter this default By default all Spot Process colors are listed with a Manufacturer name of Freehand and a Series name of Factory Using the plus and minus buttons you can create edit and remove custom ink sets based on data you receive from your ink manufacturer or mixing system HOW TO SECTION Select a color from the Manufacturers list to the left of this window then click the double arrow to the left of colors listed to the right of this window under Ink Map This will apply the new color to that Channel each time Spot Process separates an image Click Default to lock in your change All files opened separated after this change will then reference these colors 12 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Channels Menu ae a SeparationStudio File Edit Proof Positive Generate Black View Window ts ea Ground Color MB Slack a F Dianea Channels Menu Duplicate Channel Creates a copy of a chosen Channel A Window will appear allowing you to choose a Channel Delete Channel Deletes removes a chosen Channel A Window will appear allowing you to choose a Channel Apply Channel The Apply Channel feature is used to combine data from one Channel to another for special effects or to help build greater under base Channel support for a color 1 Select a Source channel that contains the data you wish to share with another channel 2 Select a Target channe
35. l that will receive the data 3 Select a Blending method There is Multiply and Darken Multiply is selected by default and is usually the best choice Multiply combines the data that is being moved and creates a common value based on the difference between the two Channels Darken adds only data from the Source channel that is darker than data that already exist on the Target channel 13 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Channels Menu ae a Channels Menu continued Move Away From Ground Move Toward Ground Move away from and move toward Ground changes the print position of a selected channel You may use this to view how a custom print order will effect the print on press Moves a Channel one print position at a time User Tip Quickly move a Channel to any print position using the Channel Properties window Click the color swatch in the VueRite window or Right Click a Channel in the Channel Window and choose Channel Properties Change the press position number It is strongly advised to use the default print positions This is a tested and proven configuration A great Standard Operating Procedure SOP that your production printers will appreciate Enhance Red Orange This feature extends the Red Channel Data to increase the range of Red Channel Data enhancing red orange blends and colors Generate Brown This feature creates a specific Brown printing channel A close duplication to the Red channel users may
36. le the black space 1 Open a file to be separated The file must be either on a black background cropped or a tif file in transparent layers Separation Studio automatically separates the file into color Channels showing you a raw preview first look Channels are in print order 2 Evaluate the Channels deciding what Channels to delete merge and keep Note the top white controls most of the details of the image so regardless of the garment color s you will print on we suggest you keep this Channel 3 Using the editing tools available in Separation Studio select Channels and make selections of specific areas to adjust the density of the data using the desaturate and saturate tools and sliders or do universal adjustments to Channels 4 Save the file Separation Studio saves all files as a DCS2 eps file retaining all spot color Channel data You can REOPEN your file in Separation Studio if you later decide to make edits 5 Import the file into your favorite graphics program that supports the DCS2 eps format eg Illustrator Draw Quark InDesign Using the tools and features of that chosen program manage and print the spot color separations as ususal Done 35 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio ae k QUICK OVERVIEW for Separating for White and or Colored garments only The reason this is a different work flow is due to the fact that a special black printing Channel must be generated to
37. mended to eliminate moir For more information about choosing line screens frequency dpi Ipi angles print order colors etc see the Color Separation Output section located in this manual Print Preset Custom H Printer Accufl to Epson 1400 l PPD Default AccuRIP to Epson 1400 HH Output Mode Separations Host Based Emulsion Up Right Reading Image Positive H Printer Resolution 60 ipi 300 dpi H C Convert All Spot Colors to Process Cverprint Black ee Dot Shape Document Ink Options ee Frequency Whine Base Re Pad G0 Ipi Chal Dor 3 Blue a0 Ipi Dor G0 Ipi 457 Dot D 60 Ipi qs Bint Geeen T THrgualse Gray i tun 1 Primer 1 C Camel 9 C Donme Page Setup Printer Cancel in Done i 48 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Illustrator an WANT TO ADD ELEMENTS to your file before outputting You can add vector elements logos and type and share the imported spot colors from the Swatch Palette For example you can add text copy and color it with the same Red from your Separation Studio color separation so the vector and the raster Red elements will output to the same film Vector Text aa Grand Color El M Base E H fH sot a i O eG Greer Ea o ta r al a 49 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE
38. n separate many art files as it supports a wide variety of file formats Our Best Advice When you have a raster image Photoshop file Corel Photo Paint or Painter file scanned imaged digital photograph or any raster image file jpeg TIFF etc Separation Studio will provide you outstanding separations quickly and easily ready for minor color adjustments using the built in tools and features You can even combine these separations with vector elements in your Illustration program and go crazy designing and outputting great designs that will easily print on press To make the best use of this software and every other graphics application you should understand when to use a a tsa i i d m each of them so you get the very best end result If a file was completely built in an Illustration program such as Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw and the number of spot colors does not exceed your press capabilities or the customer s budget then you should use the separation ability built in the same Illustration program Why Solids will remain as solids and gradients tints will print as halftones Typography and other vector elements will be clean and sharp Illustration programs exist for exactly this purpose When your illustration exceeds your press capability then Spot Process will develop a controlled set of colors allowing for a highly colored art file to fit your press and look great The art file will print as halftone
39. ned ae f Channels Menu continued a Switch from Ink view color to Film view grayscale b Turning off the ground color sets the background to transparent c Shows Adjustment Sliders for that individual Channel Ground Select This shows the present Ground color as well as editing the Ground color VueRite Channels Window Similar to the Channels window in previous versions of Spot Process a Click the color swatch and bring up edit Channel Properties letting you to change the Channels color print position name and even create a new color b Double click on the channel name and display that channels individual adjustment sliders c Move your mouse over the image and the multi layer densitometer displays the density percentages for each channel at that x y co ordinate A very valuable tool for getting things right when you are printing inks wet on wet d Check marks turn channel views on and off Open and Save Files Separation Studio has greatly expanded its list of compatible file formats and color modes including cmyk Click the pop down menu for a full listing Separation Studio saves all files in the DCS2 0 format This advanced format can save an unlimited amount of Color Channels and retains all spot color values as well as press position 26 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Samples What kind of files can you separate with Spot Process Separation Studio Spot Process Separation Studio ca
40. nient pop up tool description windows Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Separation Studio Menu File Menu ae R w a a Separation Studio Menu A Macintosh ONLY Menu Windows users will locate these features under the File and Help Menus About Menu Displays the software version number Preferences Allows you to default the program to view color Channels in INK VIEW color or FILM VIEW black and white It also allows you to change the Undo Limit which is the amount of undo s allowable Quit Quits the Separation Studio Application Additional items for Macintosh users located under the Separation Studio Menu are Services and Hide Show All Generate Black View Window Se par 4 ea iA Ground Color y Diameter Edit Channels Proof Positive SeparationStudio File Menu Open Close Window Close Documents Close All Documents Open and Close files and documents When opening a file for the first time Separation Studio will color separate the file Save Save As Save a File or Save a copy of the File under a different name Save Color Proof Color Proof Page Setup Print Color Proofs Save a high quality composite of your separated file for use in a presentation or print it directly from Separation Studio Windows users will also find QUIT under the File Menu Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Edit Menu ae a Ee SeparationStudia File it Channel
41. obe Illustrator From the File Menu choose PLACE import 2 Locate the separated DCS2 eps file Have linked selected and click PLACE to import the image disregard any messages about no support for transparent work flows 3 Your seps appear as a single scalable file ready to print All spot colors are automatically added to the Swatch Palette These color may be used with vector elements combining your raster and vector elements for professionally clean films TIP Add custom registration marks colored with Illustrator s REGISTRATION color in the Swatch Palette The reg marks will print on each separation Why doesn t the CS4 and CS5 previews look like previous Illustrator version previews Regboatand AL Whi Baste E r th or Wa beh ed Sa thn Be lad at irai A PREVIEWS EXPLAINED Adobe has changed its work flow for DCS2 eps files ONLY for Illustrator Separation quality remains of high quality but the preview will appear washed out The graphics world awaits a resolve from Adobe For perfect previews use previous versions of CS CS3 Illustrator or InDesign Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Illustrator AE 4 Print as usual These high end separations are as easy to print as simple spot color vector designs through the SEPARATIONS section Print Preset Cus
42. only the file into programs that handle spot color output printing quickly easily and efficiently such as Adobe Illustrator InDesign and Photoshop Corel Draw and QuarkXPress If you are unfamiliar with the import and handling abilities of your graphics program please become familiar with them by reviewing their instruction manuals For your convenience we have provided a quick reference for you Printing Separation Studio Separations from CorelDRAW X5 _ Instructions for earlier versions of Corel DRAW are located at LEUE http www softwareforscreenprinterstech com separation studio Corel has different work flows for the various DRAW versions With ALL Corel DRAW versions it is critical that you IMPORT your Separation Studio EPS into Corel Draw and DO NOT try to OPEN the file 1 Create a new page in Draw From the File Menu choose Import Do not Open or Import EPS drag and drop images into Draw they must be IMPORTED Note Opening will result in multiple grayscale layers and not Import as editable the importation of a proper single color t tent image for scaling and layout Import options 2 Be sure that in the Import Window the Files of type setting is set to All File Fonal Select your file Click IMPORT i When you import the file as editable same Choose Place as encapsulated PostScript J imitations may apply not Import as editable Click OK 3 Scale the image size if desired A
43. or Draw Quark InDesign Using the tools and features of that chosen program manage and print the spot color separations as ususal Done 36 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio AZ Details on Color Adjustments and Channel Edits The overview starting on page 34 provided the steps for separating with Spot Process Separation Studio What makes this program the best in the industry and so valuable to users are the built in Channel editing tools and features Look at the full set of separated Channels to SATURATION determine which Channels will benefit from SATURATION or DESATURATION DESATURATION determine if data should be ERASED ERASER Saturate Saturates darkens channel data which increases channel film density allowing for greater ink flow on press resulting in brighter color areas Special features allow for precise control Desaturate Desaturates lightens channel data which decreases channel film density allowing for less ink flow on press resulting in darker print areas Special features allow for precise control Eraser Erases removes Channel data Special features allow for precise control Tool Options for Saturation Desaturation Eraser Diameter controls the size of the tool Diameter is displayed on screen as a circle called the target area Hardness controls the edge of the brush Tool edging can be hard or soft The result always remains within the tools tar
44. ot Process developed for the 6 color press This is incorporated into Separation Studio Adjust Channels Adjust Channel is used to adjust the density of data for multiple or individual Channels The feature allows for the simultaneous adjustment of multiple Channels All Channels that are presently selected will be equally adjusted using the High Saturation and Low Saturation sliders All colors with a check mark will be adjusted simultaneously Click to check and uncheck as desired User tip you can right click in the main file window to access this feature To quickly control a specific color Channel right click on any Channel preview in the Channel Window double click the channel name in the VueRite window to display the adjust window as well 15 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Channels Menu ae i Channels Menu continued D High Saturation Slider see image C below Sliding to the right saturates data in the Channel increasing ink flow on press resulting in a brighter color result Low Saturation Slider see image C below Sliding to the left removes existing data starting with the lowest percentage values reducing color brightness IMPORTANT Use the Low Saturation slider on the White Top Channel to allow for better color on press Too much white tends to mute colors Files that are not color prepared well tend to have more white data than needed and a small cut back using the Low Saturation Slider allows
45. ources New Version Info STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS WORK FLOW Reference File Preparation Pre Press ARTWORK File Preparation pre separation 29 QUICKVIEW Char ieee Image Resolution Quality File Tip File Format Separation Studio Menu si ss es Cropped Images Non Cropped Images Transparency FditMenu i ti ti i sts s s Ssis ee ee ee Different Printing Scenarios si ss ee 30 Channels Menu aaa 13 Transparent Backgrounds NEW __ 31 Proof Positive Menu eee ee 17 Separation Overview esses nee 34 Generate BlackMenus i lt st ke 17 Color Adjustments amp Edits 37 View Menu ne ee eee 19 Window Menu a 20 FILE OUTPUT Instructions CorelDRAW X5 a 40 SEPARATION STUDIOTOOLS sisi 21 Adobe Illustrator eee eee 46 Drag Zoom Lasso Polygon Lasso Select Quark XPress InDesign 50 Saturate Desaturate Eraser Photoshop gti ei tees 50 SOFTWARE WINDOWS ee eee ee 24 Halftone ScreenAngles i eee 51 Active Channels Channels Densitometer Window Halftone Spot Shape is eee 52 Ground Select Standard Window Tools Tool Settings Pre Press ScreenS eee eee 52 Pre Press MeshCounts enana 53 VueRiteChannels ls ee eee 25 On Press Screen PrintingInk 54 Proof Positive ha eee ee 25 On Press Dropping Adding Color 55 Channels a eee 25 On Press Print Order Position 55 Open and Save Files aa 26 Contact Request Tech Support _ 55 Be
46. reduce the effects of dot gain but since Flemenco single angle printing does not suffer from the same ill effects of a rosette pattern moir this safeguard is not needed Halftone Line Screens Separation Studio files can reproduce at any line screen halftone frequency Ipi dpi Choose a line screen frequency based on your comfort level with exposing and printing halftones and your desired outcome visual look of a dot pattern halftone as it is seen from 4 or more feet away Screen printers most often choose line screens between 45 and 55 Ipi Remember that your mesh count needs to be approximately 5 times 5X your frequency for a quality end result Therefore a line screen of 45 dpi or Ipi should be exposed to a 230 mesh 45 x 5 225 If you have only 230 mesh available then you know that the line screen you choose should be approximately 1 5th the mesh 230 divided by 5 46 Simple math Choosing too low or too high of a line screen for a particular mesh will deliver un wanted results on press Pre Press Press Screens Use tight properly stretched screens This is one of the most important aspects to the screen printing process Tight screens produce brighter prints with less ink Ink will sit on top of the garment rather than being forced into the fibers producing a duller image Tight screens use less squeegee pressure to sheer ink producing a cleaner print Tight screens also produce a softer hand by using less ink Scr
47. resulting in the finest quality separations and press workflow available today NOW it s surrounded by powerful tools and turbo charged redraw engine Separate Files with Transparent Backgrounds Wow now create only ONE master file and use that to create all your separations including the black channel Instant Screen Redraw Variety of Editing Tools Lots of editing tools and selection tools so you can control every part of your image individually New dark interface eases eye strain Expand your Separation Studio user interface to full screen and work with eye calming colored windows and menus Create and control your own textile background and ink color sets Open and work on multiple files Ink and film views These views help the artist and production team make exact edits and decisions Multiple Window Views These views allow you to open the same Channel as see it 3 different ways full color just that Channel in its color an just that Channel in black and white film view Backgrounds can even be eliminated to view Channels on transparent backgrounds Channel Properties Window This Window allows the user to change everything from the channel name and color to press position in one easy window Dock able and Lock able Windows This allows you to customize your workspace Independent Background Layer Having an independent background layer not saved as a spot color means you will not accidently print t
48. rocess SEPARATION SOFTWARE Edit Menu ae oat Edit Menu continued Edit Ink see image A below Create and modify ink sets By default all Separation Studio Spot Process colors are listed with a Manufacturer name of Freehand and a Series name of Factory Using the plus and minus buttons you can create edit and remove custom ink sets using data you receive from your ink manufacturers IMPORTANT It is strongly suggested to use the Standard colors of Spot Process as often as possible in order to best control print results This is a proven set of colors RGB based just as CMYK has a standard set of colors Additional instructions on the next page after Textile Sets under HOW TO SECTION ELEL IIE Series ETD Hiao MEET eee ees Bi Custom ick Eeemple Bex Ware Creare and Save Custom Colar 5 Cirig iail on Be ec Fe Edit Textiles Ground Colors see image B on the next page Create and modify textile sets By default only Black and White colors are listed with a manufacturer name of Freehand and a Series name of Factory Using the plus and minus buttons you can create edit and remove custom ink sets using data received from your Textile manufacturer 10 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Edit Menu ae oa Edit Menu continued IMPORTANT It is strongly suggested to use the Black GROUND as often as possible to get the best visual on screen control HOW TO SECTI
49. s Proof Positive Generate Black View Window ts x ka Ground Color A_C D gt ciancte E Edit Menu Change Ground Color Allows you to change the background color on screen to simulate print results on press or when saving printing color proofs Custom makes a new temporary color To Save a color use EDIT TEX TILE GROUND COLOR located under the EDIT Menu IMPORTANT For the best on screen color adjustment control it is advised to use BLACK as a background as often as possible Changing background colors is great for printing color proofs and on screen presentations but using a black background gives the best on screen color saturation preview regardless of the color garment to be printed on Important Note Adjustments made to a BLACK background will reproduce properly on all color garments on press The lighter and brighter the background becomes on screen the more it effects the visual values of the color data but not the actual values density which is why you have a Channel Data Densitometer Black prevents ambient light from surrounding the pixels and altering your perception of the color value A density percentage does not change upon print out regardless of the background color Deselect To deselect any selected area i e lasso polygon or area selection Inverse Selection Inverts or Reverses the controlled area Command Shift i Control Shift i Delete Deletes removes clears data within a selected area Spot P
50. s as that is the nature of tonal image separations ratinn Ctidin ation Studio 27 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Operating Separation Studio AZ gt N ypot Process y Separation Studio oreen and On Press Accurate to a Tee a ko r a Y iai a User Instructions for Separating with Spot Process Separation Studio File Separation WORK FLOW Quick Reference 1 Have a file developed designed to your liking that is on a separate BLACK background layer You can also work in transparent layers in Photoshop 2 Open the file through Separation Studio The result is a separated file delivered in individual color CHANNELS 3 Run the Black Channel Generator on the duplicate file saved with a WHITE background layer or the same transparent file if working with transparencies in Photoshop 4 Use the color adjustment tools merge features and editing tools within Separation Studio to adjust it to your liking 5 Save the file auto saves a DCS2 eps file 6 Import Place it into your favorite Illustration program Photoshop or Publishing program for output as halftones Pre Press WORK FLOW Quick Reference 1 Prepare screens using mesh counts that are 5 times the selected halftone frequency dpi Ipi 2 Register screens use the print order provided 3 Use high quality opaque inks and flash only the base All other colors will print wet on wet ENJOY easy printing long press runs
51. st Advice anann 27 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE ae k INSTALLATION of Spot Process Separation Studio TRIAL USERS 1 Download the Trial Installer from www softwareforscreenprinters com 2 Run the Installer and Register the trial as prompted PURCHASERS 1 Attach the hardware USB Key dongle to a working USB port on your computer Avoid attaching to a USB hub The light on the USB Key will NOT be a steady green It will display the green light when it is called to by the software this is not a power light These new style USB dongles do not require any drivers similar to a USB memory stick but the device will not mount or appear on your computer 2 Run the Separation Studio Installer provided on the CD or downloaded If asked to replace a previous installation allow the replacement 3 Launch Separation Studio Applications or Programs folder You will be prompted with a screen that says it found a USB dongle and the dongle must be activated registered before use 4 Ifyou have a previous user account then use that account info and click the login button If that fails to login or you are a NEW user create a new account and click the login button A user may need to get the latest version if there was a previous install These updates are free 5 Awindow will appear telling you that your dongle has been ACTIVATED to run the Spot Process Separation Studio software 6 Click the Run Program button and
52. stry plastisol manufacturers such as Wilflex Rutland IC Union Lancer and others You can also use your ink mixing systems Print Order and Color PMS Pantone Match White Base White a Flash quality white to warm an under base for flesh tones and nature use PMS 714 or PMS 470 matches Black Black opaque or process black Red PMS 032 Blue PMS 300 Gold PMS 123 or 122 if a bright more yellow gold is needed for an image Purple Pantone Purple Green PMS 354 Turquoise PMS 312 Cool Gray PMS Cool Gray 8 White White not a thick white or it will over power the other colors Whenever possible you want to use a balanced ink system same type and manufacturer except in the case of BLACK ink when printing an image with subtle shadow details such as fleshtones where you don t want your black to be too powerful In this case for example the use of process black could be helpful 54 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Halftones ae k Dropping and Adding Color from a Print Run WHITE BASE by default the 1 press position When printing on a White garment or substrate and even some light colored garments such as pastels it is NOT always necessary to use the White Base but Black will be needed experiment FINAL WHITE by default the 9 press position You will ALWAYS need the Final White Failure to print this screen will result in a poor quality print
53. tion Channel Densities are displayed in the Color Swatch area Spot Process Separation Studio has a Multilayer Densitometer a valuable tool for any printer that prints wet on wet inks User Tip The New Channel window used with the slimmer Densitometer handles all the functions of the VueRite menu Closing the VueRite menu saves screen space Future releases may not include the VueRite window Proof Positive Clicking on the Proof Positive Channel quickly displays a full color composite at any time This Freehand Graphics software for creating high resolution color composites released in 1997 has now been incorporated into Separation Studio Channels Right Click on any Channel and a list of options become available a Open a New Window adds a Window to your workspace for just that Channel so you can edit in Ink or film view while you see the result in the full color Proof Positive Window b Edit Channel Properties lets you change the Channels color print position name and even create a new color c Delete Channel removes the Channel from the file d Duplicate creates a duplicate Channel for special editing New Channel Window Displays a new individual Channel so you can see your edits in either ink or film view along side your full color Proof Positive Window Right Click in the New Channel Window to show options 25 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Windows Explai
54. tom si A q Gih aial Oetpui Graphics Color Flare genic nt Advanced CUT ay Page Setup Printer Printer AceuRIP to Epson 1400 H PPD Default AccuRIP to Epson 1400 B General Copies fi Collate C Reverse Order All A tanore Artboard Range ip tirk Arnboards Media Transverse MERE Size Defined by Driver H Width 8 5 in Height 11 in Options Placement Tag X 1 in Y L 8784 in Do Not Scale Fit to Page C Custom Seale W 100 h H 100 C Tile Full Pages Overlap 210 in Scale W 100 El H 100 Tile Range Print Layers Visible amp Printable Layers Garett EE C o Cancel Choose your PRINTER setup your page and media size etc Then choose OUTPUT TIP If using Adobe Illustrator s registration marks select Ignore Artboards This will place your marks on the page close to your image 47 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Illustrator AZ In the OUTPUT section of the PRINT Window choose Mode Separations Host Based Your spot colors are shown in the Document Ink Window Select the colors you want to print The Frequency Angle and Dot Shape may or may not be applicable with your output this depends on the RIP you are using for file output Regardless of line screen always choose the same SINGLE ANGLE for all colors 22 5 degrees is highly recom
55. using a RIP AccuRIP Software to an Epson Inkjet for example For more information on AccuRIP Software please visit www accurip net where you can download a free trial Halftone Screen Angles The proper halftone screen angle is critical to your success as a screen printer Since we use screens with stretched mesh and that mesh has a frequency of its own an improper selection can create an un wanted result or interference called a moir To eliminate the moir screens need to be stretched with the mesh at the proper 90 degree angle Your film output needs to be either 22 5 degrees or 61 degrees 22 5 being the recommended angle of Freehand Graphics User Tip If you receive a moir then your screen needs to be restretched properly or try another screen All your film positives share the same angle single angle printing known as Flemenco so if you get a moir on one screen then it is clearly a problem with the screen stretching because if it was the angle then the moir would be a universal problem 51 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Printing Separations Halftones ae k Halftone Spot Shape Freehand suggests for the most accurate reproduction use a round spot Many screen printers use elliptical and that works too but elliptical halftones will introduce a pattern effect into the final print that will be disturbing when working with low line screens Also the use of elliptical shapes was first thought to
56. yboard commands or by selecting the Zoom Tool and changing the setting in the Tool Settings window Zoom In and Zoom out do exactly what you d expect view the image larger and smaller on screen Zoom Fill Window Shows the entire document does not change the Window size Fit On Screen Maximizes the Window size based on screen space then shows the entire image in the Window Actual Pixels quickly shows the art at full pixel size based on the files resolution Files with higher resolutions preview larger on screen Example if your computer screen is 72 pixels and the file is 144 pixels it will preview twice as large as it prints Just a fast way to see the image large and clear on screen Match Zoom Matches the zoom factor in multiple Windows Match Location Matches the exact location viewed in multiple Channel Windows Channels Show All Channels Hide All Channels Show Ground Color and Adjust Channel are all copies of features found in the Edit and Proof Positive menus 19 Spot Process SEPARATION SOFTWARE Window Menu ae a ls Proof Positive Generate Black View Window Menu Displays the Separation Studio Tools and Windows Here you can activate and deactivate Windows By default the Densitometer is deactivated because this feature is displayed in the VueRite Window If a user closes the VueRite Window to use only the Channels Window they should activate the densitometer The smaller Window saves screen sp
57. your profits http www softwareforscreenprinters com blog Credits Artwork in this Manual have been provided by Cora Kromer of Awearness Ink Dane Clement of Great Dane Graphics Steve McDonald Freehand Graphics and others Thank you Al Rights Reserved 2009 2010 2011 Freehand Graphics Inc 56
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