Artwork Guidelines for printing white to clear

For images to be printed white or colours to show solid and the background clear, artwork should be set up as follows:

Using Photoshop

Create a clipping path around the image you want to print.

Make a selection from the clipping path, invert the selection and fill with a value of 0/0/0/0. This will cut the background out so it prints clear. NB this needs to be done to all areas including any small detail.

Make a spot channel called spot white for all areas to be printed white. If you want an area to be totally covered in white or backed up in white, the white point must be lowered so that there are no “white” areas with a data value of 0/0/0/0. 1% is sufficient so that white areas have a value of 1/1/1/1.

In Illustrator

Duplicate the layers to be printed white, combine these as a compound path, fill the areas white with a spot colour called spot white and make sure this has an individual value.

Using either programme the file should be placed into InDesign (not Quark Xpress) as per our artwork guidelines.

NB: No effects must be used in InDesign or Illustrator such as drop shadows, because white ink cannot be used in graduations or blends.

Please call Mike Lunnon or Ian Ovenden for any technical assistance.

Please note that failure to comply with these guidelines could result in errors, poor quality print production, artworking costs and possible failure to meet deadlines.