Overprint stroke in RGB document

[eltonpruitt]

My art file is RGB, and when I set my stroke to overprint, Illustrator pops up an alert informing me that "in RGB documents, overprinting only affects spot colors."

Anyone know what the deal is with this? Everything I've read tells me to set the stroke to overprint (on balloons, etc.).

Should I still do that even though my document is RGB?

thanks guys!

Elton

[Kep!]

i think the question you need to ask first is why is your art in RGB? RGB is for online use, not printing...so, consider converting the document if you plan to send it to a printer. On the other hand, if this is for online or TV usage, you don't need overprint at all.

[eltonpruitt]

It's going to be printed by Ka-Blam, and they specifically request RGB in their specs, even though that seems bizarre...

[Kep!]

Huh? They do?!? Ok, that's really odd...ummm...well? if that's what they want, swell...but weird.

If you're providing them with flat files (TIFF or such) overprint is unnecisary. If you're providing them with layered EPSs, then overprint is needed...but with RGB is unusual. What format is your final deliverable?

[Piekos]

Also, there's a difference between spot colors and process colors.

Spot colors are things like Pantone colors. You should not be using these in vector files if you're sending them out to prepress elsewhere. Always convert these to Process.

Process colors are made up of CMYK - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and blacK.

~N

[steveo]

My art file is RGB, and when I set my stroke to overprint, Illustrator pops up an alert informing me that "in RGB documents, overprinting only affects spot colors."

Anyone know what the deal is with this? Everything I've read tells me to set the stroke to overprint (on balloons, etc.).

Should I still do that even though my document is RGB?

thanks guys!

Elton
Why would anyone in printing REQUEST files in RGB? That's unheard of.

SteveO

[eltonpruitt]

Huh? They do?!? Ok, that's really odd...ummm...well? if that's what they want, swell...but weird.

If you're providing them with flat files (TIFF or such) overprint is unnecisary. If you're providing them with layered EPSs, then overprint is needed...but with RGB is unusual. What format is your final deliverable?
I'll quote here from their website:

In what file formats can I send my pages?

Tiff files ... PC formatted, flattened with no extra layers or channels, and RGB mode for color files.

RGB?? Really? But that's a screen format. Don't you mean CMYK?

We mean RGB. Really. Trust us. With our equipment that will give you the best, most vibrant, most-true-to-your-colors print. Though if you refuse to take our word for it ... if you absolutely must send CMYK files ... well, we understand. Your colors won't be as vibrant, but we understand.


So, it sounds like I don't need to fool with overprint stroke, I guess?

[Kep!]

Since it's a flat color, nope, just skip the overprint and you're all good.

[eltonpruitt]

thanks, I appreciate the help!