Masking using Clipping Path Saving & Printing

Tute:   Masking using Clipping Path/ Opacity Mask

To make a compound path [Object > Compound Paths > Make]
Make sure the masking shape is on top, and the pattern to be masked is on the bottom.
Looking at the Layers Panel will give you an idea how your objects are being built.
Illustrator CS5′s new “Paint Inside” mode is EXACTLY a clipping path, and the option will be grayed out if you don’t set up the compound path properly.

Creating a mask with multiple objects will result in the top object masking out all objects below it. In this instance, the left circle disappeared because it’s being masked as well.

Grouping apparently just confuses Illustrator.

Combine the two donuts into a single compound shape before applying the mask to get the desired result. 

Tute : Saving & Printing

 

 

How to open a new Illustrator CS3 file for business cards.

Click on File, then click on New.

You will now be presented with a screen shot similar to what is shown below.

• A — give your file a meaningful name. A good idea is to mention the:
  • Name of the company (for example, Bob and Bills Pumbling).
  • Name of the person (for example, Bob Jones).
  • Type of product (in this example, bus card).
• B — put in the size of the finished card — TheInternetPrinter prints business cards that are 89mm x 54mm.
• C — select the correct colour mode — TheInternetPrinter is a CMYK colour printer.
• D — select the correct vresolution (or raster effect) — TheInternetPrinter prints all business cards at 300ppi.

Then click the OK button.
You will be presented with a screen shot similar to the one below. If there is no ruler at the top of the page and at the left-hand side, then:

• Select "Apple" + "R" for Apple/Macs; or
• Select "Windows" + "R" for PCs.

You MUST put in bleeds and safety margin lines before you start designing your business card.

How to put bleeds onto an Illustrator CS3 file for business cards.

Bleeds are easy to put onto an illustrator business card file.
For the horizontal bleeds:

• Place your mouse in the ruler at the top of the page.
• Hold down your mouse and drag the mouse down into the main page.
• Stop when your mouse is 3mm outside the black box.
• This is done for both the top and bottom bleed lines.

For the vertical bleeds:

• Place your mouse in the ruler on the left-hand side of the page.
• Hold down your mouse and drag the mouse across into the main page.
• Stop when your mouse is 3mm outside the black box.
• This is done for both the left- and right-hand bleed lines.

The image below is an attempt to show you what to do in a graphic way.

How to put safety margins onto an Illustrator CS3 file for business cards.

Safety margin lines are easy to put onto an illustrator business card file, and they are achieved in the same manner as the bleed lines.
For the horizontal safety margin lines:

• Place your mouse in the ruler at the top of the page.
• Hold down your mouse and drag the mouse down into the main page.
• Stop when your mouse is 5mm inside the black box.
• This is done for both the top and bottom safety margin lines.

For the vertical safety margin lines:

• Place your mouse in the ruler on the left-hand side of the page.
• Hold down your mouse and drag the mouse across into the main page.
• Stop when your mouse is 5mm inside the black box.
• This is done for both the left- and right-hand safety margin lines.

The image below is an attempt to show you what to do in a graphic way.

 

Why bleeds are important on Illustrator business card files.

Bleeds are vitally important, and you MUST understand bleeds before you start creating your business card.
Below is an image of a completed Illustrator business card file. You should notice that there are three background colours on the business card, and all the background colours continue past the black trim line (i.e.: the black box), and finish at (and even finish past) the bleed line.

The reason this is done is simple:

• No printer can print to exactly the edge of the page — a printer's press might be up to 0.25mm out of balance;
• No printer can trim the card at exactly the right place — a printer's card trimmer might be up 0.5mm out of balance.
• If the background colours finished atv the trim line, and the press and trimmer were out of balance, then you would end up with a white stip down one side of the card.
• However, if the background colours continue well past the trim line, then the white strip will never have a chance to appear.

So, if you are going to have some background colours that will print right to the edge of the business card, then make sure those background colours continue to at least the bleed line.

Why safety margins are important on Illustrator business card files, and where to put your artwork.

Safety margin lines are almost as important as bleed lines.
Examine the above image again. You should notice that all the important text and the logo are kept inside the safety margin lines.
This is done for one simple reason:

• If the press and or card trimmer are out of balance, then the text on one side will be noticably closer to the edge than is the text on the other side. Therefore,
• If we keep the important text and logo sufficiently distant from the edge of the card, then there will never be a noticable difference between the sides of the card (even if the press and/or card trimmer are out of balance).

Always use high resolution images on business cards.

Do not use images or logos that come from the Internet.
The Internet uses images that are set at 72dpi (or 72 dots per inch). This is great for computer screens, but no good for business cards.
Business cards are printed at 300dpi, so all images must have a resolution of at least 300dpi.

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