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Red to Black fade gradient

BrentNaquin

New Member
Hello everyone at the shop I work at I am using a Mutoh xpertjet 1641 SR pro, vertelith, and illustrator to create the gradient in PDF.

Just to give background, I have attempted to print red fade to black gradient before and have not had success. The only solution I found to work was to print black gradient on top of red film, such as satin 3M red.

This time it has been requested that I printed fully, and I matched the red color to an existing 3M smoldering satin red. I have gotten as close as I can to matching the red and I have my gradient at 61 inches wide.

I achieved a good gradient and prints. However, the red seems to be grainy. I’m using the generic cast 900 x 1200 dpi V3 profile. I really didn’t wanna go in and adjust the dot size because that changes the way any color looks. And I would have to restart my color match again.

My question is first has anyone achieved this red fade to black gradient well? Second question is how do I reduce the graininess without adjusting the dot size? Third question is what is your best method of achieving a gradient regarding from start to finish design, PDF, software, print profile, etc?

I’ve spoken to four different Support guys from Fellers. They’re generally helpful. However, the answer I tend to get with this particular issue is just try it until you figure it out.

I have a project that is due within the next week and I need to sort this out as soon as possible. Any tips advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 

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Solventinkjet

DIY Printer Fixing Guide
One of my favorite methods to do a color to black gradient is to use the transparency settings in AI. You make a rectangle and set it to your red color. Then copy and paste the rectangle in front. Now you make the top rectangle a white to black gradient and then set the transparency setting for the rectangle to "Multiply". The standard gradient tool starts with the red color and then tries to adjust the CMYK values step by step until it reaches black. The method I described simply darkens the color step by step. It tends to look smoother and the color stays truer to the original as it fades to black.

As for the graininess, try turning the heat up on the printer and choose a slower motor speed if the profile allows that setting. It also doesn't hurt to check your head alignments to make sure they are spot on.
 

BrentNaquin

New Member
One of my favorite methods to do a color to black gradient is to use the transparency settings in AI. You make a rectangle and set it to your red color. Then copy and paste the rectangle in front. Now you make the top rectangle a white to black gradient and then set the transparency setting for the rectangle to "Multiply". The standard gradient tool starts with the red color and then tries to adjust the CMYK values step by step until it reaches black. The method I described simply darkens the color step by step. It tends to look smoother and the color stays truer to the original as it fades to black.

As for the graininess, try turning the heat up on the printer and choose a slower motor speed if the profile allows that setting. It also doesn't hurt to check your head alignments to make sure they are spot on.
I never thought of multiply with white and black. That’s good brother. Thank you. I will try that as well.

When I get back to the station tomorrow I will check alignment and motor speed. I just did a paper feed adjustment.
 
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