Master Color Separation in Adobe Illustrator

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Preparing the Document
3. Expanding the Artwork
4. Using the Pathfinder Tool
5. Flattening the Artwork
6. Cleaning Up Swatches
7. Creating Spot Colors
8. Using Separations Preview
9. Converting to Pantone Colors
10. Saving the Final File
11. Conclusion

How to Color Separate Your Vector Art in Adobe Illustrator

Color separation is an essential step in preparing vector art for film and print. By separating the colors efficiently, You can ensure that the final output is accurate and suitable for various printing methods. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of color separation using Adobe Illustrator.

1. Introduction

Before we begin, it's important to note that this tutorial assumes you have a basic understanding of Adobe Illustrator. We will cover the necessary steps to separate the colors in your vector art, making it print-ready and suitable for film production.

2. Preparing the Document

To start, open your working document in Adobe Illustrator. Duplicate the artwork and work on the duplicated version to prevent any accidental changes to your original piece.

3. Expanding the Artwork

In order to work with the colors individually, we need to expand the fill and stroke of the artwork. To do this, go to Object > Expand. This will convert all the editable strokes into shapes, making them easier to work with.

4. Using the Pathfinder Tool

The Pathfinder tool is a powerful tool that helps us flatten the artwork and remove any overlapping colors. With the expanded artwork selected, open the Pathfinder panel. In the Second row, third column, you will find the "Merge" option. Click on it to merge all the overlapping colors into individual shapes.

5. Flattening the Artwork

Now that we have used the Pathfinder tool, our artwork is flattened, and the colors are no longer sitting on top of each other. This is important for screen printing and most spot color printing methods.

6. Cleaning Up Swatches

In Illustrator, the Swatches panel can sometimes be cluttered with unnecessary swatches. To clean up the panel, select the unwanted swatches and delete them. This will make it easier for us to work with our own custom swatches.

7. Creating Spot Colors

To ensure accurate color separation, we will Create spot colors for each color in our artwork. Start by selecting the color you want to convert, and create a new swatch. Set the color Type to spot color and repeat this step for each color in your artwork.

8. Using Separations Preview

The Separations Preview tool allows us to preview our artwork as it would appear when printed. Open the Separations Preview panel and enable the "Print Preview" option. You will Notice that the background color disappears. To view each color plate, click on the checkboxes for each spot color.

9. Converting to Pantone Colors

If you are working with Pantone colors, you can easily convert your spot colors to the closest Pantone colors. Open the Swatches panel and create a new color group. From the dropdown menu, choose "Color Books" and select the Pantone Plus Solid Uncoated color book. Apply the color group to your artwork, and the spot colors will be converted to Pantone colors.

10. Saving the Final File

Once you have performed the necessary color separations and converted to Pantone colors, your artwork is ready for print. Save the file in the appropriate format and send it to your printer or production team.

11. Conclusion

Color separation is a crucial step in preparing vector art for print and film. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can ensure that your artwork is color-separated correctly and ready for production. Remember to double-check your separations and consult with your printer if you have any specific color requirements. Now you can confidently create stunning prints with accurate colors and vibrant designs.