THE SCOOP

It has been a week since my last entry.  Sorry guys.  :(  So what have I been doing for the last week?  I have had some problems with my wood screens warping which is not a good thing.  Warped screens make it difficult to set a consistent off contact.  Remember "off contact" is the distance between your screen and the platen.  If the off contact is higher or lower on one part of your image, you will not have an even distribution of ink on your shirt.  Because of this warping issue, I decided to order aluminum screens.  My main goal is to eventually use all Newman Roller Screens but I will have to save up for that purchase.  Newman screens are not cheap but seem to be well worth the extra cost. 

While waiting for my new screens and supplies, I decided to AGAIN tackle my choke, stroke, trapping issue.  I still have not figured out what the difference is between them. In order to print multi-color images I HAD to figure this out.  Here was my dilemma.  I had a drawing I wanted to make a multi-color image.  The colors are black outline, tan dog, brown dog...three colors total.   I colored everything in CorelDraw and printed out my transparencies.  When I go to line up the transparencies there is always a tiny gap between my outline and the colors below.  Remember "GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT"?  If there is a gap in my transparency, there will be a gap in the final print.  There is no point in burning the image into my screens if it looks bad on the transparency.  This issue has held me back from printing my designs in color. 

I wasted quit a few transparencies until I finally figured it out.  THIS IS FOR CORELDRAW.  Here is what worked for me....I added a one point black outline to the drawing, colored the image (placing the color behind the outline - "Arrange, Order, To back of page").  When that was all done, I selected the image, right click the mouse and click on "Overprint Fill AND Overprint Outline".  I hope you are following me. :)  The last step involves the Printing function.  Click Print and under the Separations Tab make sure you check "Print Separations" and "Always Overprint Black".  Where it says Document Overprints....leave it on PRESERVE.  I added my registration marks and printed my transparencies.  They line up GREAT!  I have not burned my screens yet but I am confident they will work.  There may be an easier way to do this but I have not figured out how and have not found an answer elsewhere.  A much faster option would be to have the EPSON 1400 printer with RIP software which gives you this option when you go to print your transparencies.  Until I can purchase the EPSON 1400, I will have to use my way.  It's a process but it works.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to share.  You can also find me at www.facebook.com/theponderingpooch or click the FACEBOOK badge on the right side of this page.

Thanks for following my blog.
Jeanette