: Preparing artwork for print in illustrator? I am preparing a complex artwork for print in illustrator which includes: textures, overprinting, overlapping colors, gradients, blend modes and transparencies

@Sent7350415

Save and print as an .EPS if file size is not a concern. This file type displays transparencies and gradients correctly in the printer RIP software. Expanding and rasterizing are not needed. I have good luck saving and printing as .PDF, except when my complex regions (gradients and transparencies) are not rendered correctly for the printer. (The outcome sometimes has to do with the quality of the printer drivers.) My new favorite way to save for print I learned on this site recently: in Illustrator, select print TO .PDF. So far with this method I have seen: files are 5% of .ai file, work is crisp and clean, images, rasters, vectors, transparancies and gradients all look correct. When printing it is always best bet to start your project at high resolution (300 dpi CMYK) and save final at 300 dpi as well.

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@Turnbaugh909

File -> Save As -> PDF, and choosing the correct job options (PDF/X-1a), is generally all that's needed....

...but if it's just an Illustration... open it in Photoshop and save as a CMYK .tiff file.

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