Plotting a pdf file using Adobe Illustrator

Overview

This document contains the basic instructions for successfully plotting from Adobe Illustrator.

Adobe Illustrator is the preferred program for printing plots (large-media printing) in color. This program is available in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite or on the VCC Lobby computers.

NOTE: If you do not have an adobe.com account, you will need to create one first:

Logging in to Adobe software on computers in the VCC lobby

Procedures:

NOTE: Make sure the file you are using to plot is in .PDF format!

Open Adobe Illustrator.
Click File→ New
In the “New Document” dialog box (see image below), go to the PRESET DETAILS section:
1. In the first textbox type in name of the file (we recommend using a unique name for each file).
2. Change Units to “Inches”.
3. Enter the preset’s width and height in inches. The plot has a maximum width of 36” (the width of the plotter paper itself), and we recommend a maximum height (“length” is a better word) of 120”. Start with a width of 36” and a length of your choice (plus 0.75” [see below]).
4. Click the PRESET DETAILS down arrow (see below picture): a “Save Document Preset” dialog box opens. All you’re doing here is creating a preset size for your plot (actually, you’re creating a “frame” in which the image you’d like to plot will be placed).
In the “Save Document Preset” dialog box, choose a name for this preset. If your preset’s dimensions are 36”x48.75”, “CustomW36in-H48.75” would be fitting. This example is for a 35.25”x 48” plot that allows room for the header (text along the top of the plot showing user ID, file name, date).
Click the Save Preset button.
Double Click on the preset you just created (see example above.
To select an image to print, click File→ Place. A dialog box will appear allowing you to add a PDF file to import into Illustrator. Left Click image on page.
If image longer than 35.25” change its orientation: Object→Transform→Rotate 90degree Press OK.
Set “Properties” to include an additional spacing for plotter border margins.
Under “Transform”, click the top/center square of the small [9-square array]:

Note: For section below: 35.25” is the maximum width size (W:), this is because the plotters cannot print to the very edge of the paper. (35.25 leaves a 3/8” margin on both sides of your plot).
1. To keep original aspect ratio (1.1), click
2. After filling in W: or H: hit <enter>, and the other size will automatically be filled in. Note: If you want to change aspect ratio, don’t click the above “Lock Aspect Ration” icon.
3. If changing aspect ratio: Set W: The width of your image (In this example 35.25 in). Set H: The height of your image (In this example 48 in).
4. For either aspect ratio choice: Set X: 18 in (Half the width of the plotter paper, always 18 inch). Set Y: 0.375 in (So header won’t print ON TOP OF your image).
Click Edit→ Transparency Flatterer Presets
1. Select High Resolution as a Preset, then click New (box with “plus” icon).
2. In the dialog box, enter the name of this custom preset. It should be different from the existing presets (you might have multiple presets). Example above is “[High Resolution] copy”.
3. In the dialog box:
  1. Set Raster/Vector balance should be all the way to the (Vector) side 100.
  2. Set the Line Art and Text Resolution to 600 ppi.
  3. Gradient and Mesh Resolution to 150 ppi.
  4. Select OK, Then Select OK on the following page.
Click File→ Print. A dialog box will appear with a series of printer-related options.
Set Print Preset to Custom
Use the Printer drop-down menu to choose the plotter that you wish to print to.
- VCPLOT (Regular) VCPLOTG(Glossy) VCPLOTCF (Clear Film)
- VCPLOTBW (Regular B&W) VCPLOTG(Glossy B&W) VCPLOTCFBW (Clear Film B&W)
In the Illustrator “Print” dialog box, under the “General” selection, set the Media Size to Custom.
If Ignore Artboards is un-checked, place a check mark on this box.
Create space for the header.
1. Below the Media Size enter:
  1. Width: add .75 to your width (Step 10 W:), (Example width was 35.25”, so you’d use 36”).
  2. Height: add .75” to your height (Step 10 H:), (Example height was 48”, so you’d use 48.75”).
2. In the “Options” section:
  1. Just right of “Placement”, click the center [9-square array], and set X: 0.375 in Y: 0.375 in.
  2. Set Scaling: to “Do Not Scale”.
    
    Steps to ensure correct coloring of text boxes.
On the left-hand side of the same Illustrator “Print” dialog box, choose Advanced.
1. In the Print Preset dropdown box, select the new preset that was created in the Transparency Flattener Presets (which we named “[High Resolution] copy” in step 11).
2. Under Overprint and Transparency Flattener Options, go to the Overprints dropdown and select “Simulate”
  
  Steps to ensure correct color hue "Color Management".
On the left-hand side of Illustrator's Print dialog box, choose Color Management.
1. Near the middle of the window, click on the Color Handling: drop-down menu and set it to Let PostScript printer determine colors. It is IMPERATIVE that this is selected to make sure the plot colors match your document.
2. Click Done on the bottom of the Print dialog popup.
3. (Color Bar depicted here oriented in the top portion [36” edge] of the plot)
Click on your picture (Don’t select the color bar).
Click Object→ ”Flatten Transparency” select Preset setup in Step 11 then click OK (Note: On rare occasion this will add highlights or artifacts to your job, if this happens, please uncheck the "Flatten Transparency" option.)

Steps for adding a color Bar

In order to be qualified for a printing refund, a color bar must be included on the plot if requesting a refund due to color discrepancies.
Download the ColorBar.png (https://rpi.app.box.com/v/PlotterColorBar)
1. Once downloaded, Select File→ Place
2. Select the ColorBar.png you downloaded, and place it in your document.
3. On the Properties tab for the color bar, click the bottom middle [9-square array].
  1. Set X: 18 in, Set W: 6 in, Set Y: 0.3 in, and Set H: 0.3 in
    
    Sending Job to Plotter
Click File→ Print. A dialog box will appear with a series of printer-related options.
Below image (bottom left) it shows the plot size dimensions. Document should be 0.75 smaller than Media (both sizes).
The preview picture should have a very small white strip around border of image.
Once you are satisfied with how the print looks in the Print dialog popup, click Print button.