Gradient Help w/Multi-colored gradient decal

[daenterpri]

Hello everyone!

I'm trying to create the following decal on the Edge 2 using the 4 color process. I'm running Omega 2.6.1. The decal was created in Illustrator and I'm bringing it into Composer as a vector file.

My first attempt looked like this. Kinda cool from a distance, but anywhere close and all you see is dots.

My next attempts, after adjusting the LPI to around 70-90 produced this.

My third attempt, I got a little zealous and tried 200.

After this I tried yet another at 115 LPI, and even tried the 600DPI setting, but it looked just like the 70-90LPI. Is there any way to get the decals to look smooth, like my original image?

Thanks for your help!

Andy

 

[Browner]

I'd be using four spot colors for the blue, green, orange, and grey, then overprinting the "fade" with Spectra Shade. It's only one extra pass through the machine, but will look a million times better.

... but you could try using different half tones. Give GerberTone Fine a shot and see if it's any better.

 

[daenterpri]

Thanks for the Reply, Scott!

I'm a total noob, so, in Composer, would I redo each of the colors to match a gerber foil color, and then add the Spectra-Shade as a gradient coming from below?

Who makes the Spectra shade? And, would Composer allow me to add it? Is it similar to this ZeroNine product here: http://www.zeronine.com/specialtyribbonsgerber.html

Thanks,

Andy

 

[Browner]

Thanks for the Reply, Scott!

Who's Scott?

I'm a total noob, so, in Composer, would I redo each of the colors to match a gerber foil color, and then add the Spectra-Shade as a gradient coming from below?

Yes. Don't forget to set the Spectra Shade to Overprint or Overlap.

Who makes the Spectra shade? And, would Composer allow me to add it? Is it similar to this ZeroNine product (ShadowCast)

Gerber makes it: GCX-111. It should be in your spot foil palette. It serves the same purpose as that ZeroNine foil.

 

[daenterpri]

I'm sorry, Chris! I'm not sure where Scott came from... I was really tired when I posted this I guess

I'll give it a shot and let you know how it turns out! Thanks!

 

[rushworks graphics]

your never going to get great gradients on a gerber. you can get passable looking gradients but thats about it. one of those things using the gerber that an ink jet can do better.

 

[daenterpri]

your never going to get great gradients on a gerber. you can get passable looking gradients but thats about it. one of those things using the gerber that an ink jet can do better.

Bummer... I was able to get a decent deal on this setup. I just can't afford a $20-$50k inkjet printer.

 

[signage]

daenterpri then seek someone to get them wholesale from!

 

[rushworks graphics]

yeah, agree with signage on that one, maybe wholesale for some of your prints, your going to get better looking results. the gerbers are great for somethings(we've had our nearly 6 years now, and we got an inkjet last year as it was needed!