When designing a t shirt, are we suppose to knock out the colors underneath each other so there is no over print or do the people who print the winning designs do that for you? I’m just curious since I really want to try this out. I’m new. Also, if I do have to knock out colors, what’s the best way to do so when there is multiple shapes and colors on top of a much larger colored shape? I know I can use the pathfinder tool but it seems real hectic sometimes when there is multiple colors. Any help with these questions would be appreciated. Thanks
In summation, you don’t have to do it for DBH, but I’d recommend learning how to do it just so you will know how if/when you need to.
Thanks man. I kind of figured they might be the ones to do it. I learned in my Production for Fine arts class about knocking out colors but I’d have to revise my notes since I forgot already. And I agree, it would be good to know how to do it myself. Thanks again.
By the way, I’m using Illustrator at the moment but I do find it easier to know out colors and seperate layers with photoshop. I guess I’m more versatile with PS since I use that more.
i had to colorseperate and knock out for a couple of shirts i did; the easiest solution from illustrator is the following:
- convert all used colors to global spot colors
- make sure you have a pdf printer/writer installed – saving as pdf does not work
- go to print -> pdf printer
- at output: mode select seperations
- in the menu on the left side go to output, uncheck the c, m, y, and k and only leave the spot colors
- now print (aka save) the pdf
the output is now a pdf with seperated colors – one page per color – all the knocking out is done automatically. these are the base files that can be used to make the silkscreens for printing.
Good to know.
@deaddreamer Thanks for that awesome tip. I will try it out.
Please log in to add your comment.
Hey, it’s not required that you do that (I never do personally unless it’s requested), it might make it easier for them, but personally I feel better letting them handle it because they’ll probably do a more professional job than I would, haha. I like to defer to the experts when applicable.
There are several ways of doing it, but I’ll typically use the Select – Color Range option if I have to separate colors (I work in Photoshop). But if I know someone wants the colors separate beforehand I’ll usually just do each color on a separate layer to begin with so there’s no separation process.