Manual Color Separations In Illustrator

[Catspit Productions]

Here is a very cool YouTube video that explains how to separate colors onto different layers in Illustrator so you can then output each color to inkjet film positives. This is a very basic manual way to color separate and output film but it can be very useful and powerful when you need to utilize this method.

The video will actually show you how simple it is to merge the colors of any given piece of vector art into new layers. After that’s done each layer will then be ready to print your inkjet film positives. I recommend making another layer in addition to the ones shown here for registration marks. Even though you may be able to add them automatically in the print dialogue box creating your own custom cross hairs to use as registration marks will make them easier to washout because you will be able to control their line point thickness.

I have often found that Illustrators crop marks or registration marks are too thin and are stubborn when it comes to washing out. They just seem to be far too thin to get a decent burn off of them so I use a capital X or even a T sometimes in all 4 corners on a new registration mark layer.



Good luck!