DCS graphic doesn't separate correctly from Illustrator (10.x,CS)
Issue
When you print separations from Adobe Illustrator, a DCS graphic prints on the wrong plate, or the graphic drops out partially or entirely.
Solutions
Do one of the following solutions:
Solution 1: Make sure that transparency doesn't interact with the DCS graphic.
If you use Illustrator CS, use the Flattener Preview palette to make sure that any transparency in the file doesn't interact with the linked DCS graphic. See "Using the Flattener Preview palette" in Illustrator CS Help for more information.
Solution 2: Remove transparency and raster effects.
Remove any transparency or raster effects from the Illustrator file before printing separations.
Solution 3: Flatten transparent objects.
Flatten all transparent objects in the Illustrator file before printing separations:
Note:Save a copy of the file before flattening transparent objects so that you can edit the transparent objects in the future.
1. Select the transparent object.
2. Choose Object > Flatten Transparency.
3. Select flattening options, and then click OK.
Background information
The Desktop Color Separation (DCS) format describes a separated image with one or more files. Multiple-file DCS files include a low-resolution preview file that contains comments specifying the filenames and locations of the high-resolution separation files. For more information about the DCS file format, see document 316726 , "Desktop Color Separation (DCS) General Information."
An Illustrator 10.x file that includes transparency and a linked DCS graphic separates incorrectly. An Illustrator CS file that includes transparency and a linked DCS graphic separates correctly as long as the transparency in the file doesn't interact with the DCS graphic. In Illustrator, you can apply transparency to objects using the Transparency palette or the Styles palette. You may unknowingly apply transparency by using the following default styles or raster effects:
The Styles palette provides transparency or raster effects via the following default styles:
-- Illustrator CS
- Denim (RGB mode)
- Dropped Sherbet Type
- Hair Ball
- Ice Type
- Maypole (CMYK mode)
- Neon Type
- Parchment
- Scratchboard (RGB mode)
- Tissue Paper Collage
- Transmorgifier
-- Illustrator 10
- 1pt Outside Stroke
- Black & White Snake (RGB mode)
- Blue Goo
- Honeycomb Silk
- Phantasmagoric (CMYK mode)
- Raindrop
- Rough Steel (RGB mode)
- Soft Cast Shadow
The Effects menu provides raster effects via the following submenus:
- Rasterize
- Stylize*
- Artistic
- Blur
- Brush Strokes
- Distort
- Pixelate
- Sharpen
- Sketch
- Stylize
- Texture
- Video
- Warp
* The Stylize submenu contains two vector effects that don't involve transparency or raster effects: Add Arrowheads and Round Corners.
Additional Information
Illustrator EPS Graphic Containing Placed DCS Image Prints Incorrectly from Another Application
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