Print color separations

Acrobat supports host-based separations and in-RIP separations. The main difference between them is where the separations are created—at the host computer (the system using Acrobat and the printer driver) or at the output device’s RIP.

For host-based separations, Acrobat creates PostScript information for each of the separations required for the document and sends that information to the output device. For in-RIP separations, the work of separating a file is performed by the RIP. This method often takes less time than creating host-based separations, but it requires a PostScript 3 output device with in-RIP separation capability. To produce in-RIP separations, you need a PPD file that supports in-RIP separations, and any PostScript 3 output device or a PostScript Level 2 device whose RIP supports in-RIP separations.

Prepare to print separations

Before you print separations, do the following:

- Calibrate your monitor. See Calibrate and profile your monitor.
- Specify whether the document contains trapping information, if known. See Declare the presence of trapping information.
- Preview separations and transparency flattening results. See Preview color separations and Preview which areas of artwork will be flattened.
- Run preflight inspections using desired criteria. See Preflight profiles.
  
  Note: If you use a print service provider to produce separations, you’ll want to work closely with its experts before beginning each job and throughout the process.

Print separations

Choose File > Print, and choose a printer.
Choose an option from the Comments And Forms menu.
Choose print range and page handling options.
Click Advanced.
If you created a custom printer settings file with the appropriate separation settings, choose it from the Settings menu at the top of the Advanced Print Setup dialog box.
Select Output on the left, and choose an option from the Color menu:
- Choose Separations if the PPD doesn’t support in-RIP separations.
- Choose In-RIP Separations if the PPD supports in-RIP separations. Trapping options appear. From the menu, choose Adobe In-RIP or Off. If you choose Adobe In-RIP, click Trap Presets and select a preset. Click OK.
Specify settings for halftone screen frequency, emulsion, and image exposure.
If the document contains objects with transparency settings, select an option from the Transparency Flattening Preset menu.
Under Ink Manager, deselect any color you don’t want to separate.
The four process colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) always appear at the top of the color plate list, followed by spot colors in alphabetical order.
Click the Ink Manager button to modify ink settings for color separations.
Click Marks And Bleeds on the left, and select All Marks.
Click PostScript Options on the left, and select settings as needed. Click OK to close the dialog box, and then click OK again to print the separations.

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