Setting the Imaging Options

Setting the Imaging Options

When you print a file, the print shop that will be printing the job may ask you to add certain labels and marks around your artwork. Rather than create these marks manually, FreeHand can automatically add them.

To add labels and marks:

In the Print Setup dialog box, click the tab for Imaging. The Labels & Marks options appear on the right side of the dialog box 3.

Figure 3. Click the boxes for each of the Labels & Marks to have those marks print 939s1821j ed around the artwork.

Click Separation names to add a label with the name of the color plate that is printed.

Click File name and date to add the name of the file, page number, and date and time that the file is printed.

Click Crop marks to add the marks that indicate the trim size of the artwork.

Click Registration marks to add registration marks and color bars that are necessary for printing multiple colors.

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The labels and marks appear in the Print Setup preview only if the page size for the FreeHand document is smaller than the paper size selected in the print setup

Figure 4. Artwork printed with Crop marks and Registration marks selected.

The imaging options control the look and direction of the images when printed. This is used when creating film to create a negative of the image and control its direction.

To choose the imaging options:

In the Print Setup dialog box, click the tab for Imaging. The Imaging Options appear on the right side of the Print Setup dialog box

Figure 5. Click the Imaging options to control the color and direction of the image.

Choose one of the following emulsion options:

o        Emulsion up prints the file so that the emulsion is up.

o        Emulsion down prints the file so that the emulsion is down.

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These two settings are controlled by the requirements of your print shop and matter only when preparing to print film.

Choose one of the following color options.

o        Positive image is used for printing to paper.

o        Negative image is used for printing to film.

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Negative image is the usual choice when printing to film separations, but check with your printer to be sure.

FreeHand offers various options for printing to a PostScript device. These options stay with the file when it is saved or exported as an EPS file (see pages 23 and 322).

To set the Output Options:

In the Print Setup dialog box, click the tab for Imaging. The Output Options appear

Figure 6. The Output options control the aspects of a FreeHand file and exported images.

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You can also set the Output Options by choosing File > Output Options

Figure 7. The Output Options dialog box let you set the output options without using the Print command.

Check Include invisible layers to print objects that are on hidden layers. Otherwise those layers do not print.

Check Split complex paths, to automatically split long paths.

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Modern printing software is less likely to need this option.

Choose one of the following from the Images menu:

o        Binary or Binary (Macintosh) is used for printing on the Macintosh platform.

o        Binary (Cross Platform) is used for both Macintosh and Windows.

o        ASCII is used only for the Windows platform or if you have trouble outputting on the Macintosh platform.

o        None is for when using an OPI system.

Select Include OPI comments if TIFF images will be replaced during prepress.

Choose Convert RGB to process if you have RGB TIFF in the file.

To set the Maximum Steps:

Leave this field set for Default. If you have trouble printing, use the pop-up menu to set a lower number in the Maximum color steps field.

To set the Flatness:

Leave this field set for Default. If you get a limitcheck error when printing, enter a number from 1 to 100 in the Flatness field.