Hi Jeff
I realize that a little more history will help.
1st my output is a Lexmark z705.
The order is 500 copies of a trifold color flyer. Yeah a very small order
but it's meant only to go in some professionnal places.
I printed a document I wanted done by the printshop.
When they saw it, they asked for the corresponding file because my output
would produce a moire pattern. I understand that if they use a drum scanner
like Hell's as it produces screens.
The printshop told me to send my file to the trade shop because they
(printshop) dont produce their separations themselves.
So I've sent the original CD10 file saved in CD9 format (they don't have
CD10) knowing they can adjust tracking, screen angles and so on within CD
and reproduce exactly my printout.
Obviously the trade shop didn't know much about CD since the separation they
sent to the printshop produced a fountain made of clearly visible color
dots.
The proof the printshop showed to me even had thick outlines (maybe 80%
black) around some text where I wanted only a light shading. The pressman
corrected that on my request, I don't know how but he did.
That printshop doesn't have digital output.
That's the actual context.
I tried some ditgital places but realy, they did so bad that I rejected
their jobs.
I'm not a computer graphist, I'm a programmer but I think I am almost a CD
power user. I'm not a printing expert but I also know enough I think to see
when I'm getting fooled. And right now I fell I'm getting.
Post by Jeff HarrisonI designed a flyer with fountain fills. I set the fountain steps to 512 Why
every print shop I've sent the document print the fountains with a
Post by Billclearly visible granularity like it was printed with a low res inkjet
printer?
*** Even though this shop may have an offset press, your job may have been
printed on a digital machine, an entirely different process. If you say you
want 300 full color tri-fold brochures (8.5 x 11 ea.) this won't go on a
press, not worth making plates for a small orders. The reason I ask is that
digital printers have a tricky time with some gradients/fountain fills, and
reveal the limitations of that specific process, and not the designer or
software. If your job IS being printed on a press for sure, ask how the film
is being made, or if it's "direct to plate". I know one shop where they
separated a file to B/W laser prints, then shoot that with a camera to make
film for the plates - lots of detail gets lost unless the line screen is
really rough, like 75 LPI.
Post by BillI therefore sent my CD10 file to the print shop and it didn't change
anything. They say it's because my document is made with a inkjet printer
*** How was it "made" with an inkjet printer? Maybe they mean for color
reference when you printed off samples for yourself as you were building
it.... Their concern here would be more color-related than anything - such
as blues coming out purple at their end.
and they use offet equipment and my software (CD10) is nothing but junk. Is
there really incompatibility between CD10 and offset printing or is the
Post by Billtrade shop and/or printshop double crossing me ?
*** You are being TRIPLE crossed. CorelDRAW rules, I've created many
high-end pieces without problems. People who've worked in print for more
than 3 years know that Draw is very capable - even if they are Adobe fans.
Don't let them intimidate you. Just because someone has a print shop open
for business doesn't always mean they know what THEY'RE doing at their end.
Post by BillWhat should I do to make sure my works are printed exactly like my
document
Post by Billin the future ?
*** There are reasons why it didn't turn out as you expected. Take some time
to track this down. Using different software won't change this. Take your
sample from them and discuss the result with another shop to get a second
opinion. If the first shop was rude with you, they may be on the defensive,
trying to cover a mistake they made - but don't want to re-run the job over
$$$ issues. It happens.
JD