Plating Custom Laser Business Deposits in

Adobe Illustrator
This set of instructions will guide you in the process of plating and printing customer
laser deposits using Adobe Illustrator. In utilizing these steps it will allow maximum
efficiency in the printing process and help achieve company goals in customer
satisfaction.
OPENING ILLUSTRATOR:
Step 1: Open custom Laser Folder
Step 2: Open GTO Template, which will open illustrator program.
Step 3: In main toolbar, click file then place.
Step 4: Search for plate number in to be plated folder. Once found highlight plate
number and click place.
*Note* Plate number will be referenced on job ticket.
This will add the PDF to the GTO template. Once file is added, you will now manipulate
for printing.
REMOVE SLUG LINE:
Step 5: With file highlighted, go to main toolbar and click embed. In doing this, it
terminates the link and allows the file to be manipulated.
Step 6: Deselect the image by clicking anywhere on the template.
Step 7: In your tools workspace, find your direct selection tool and click and hold down.
This will show a drop down off all the options associated with this specific tool. Click on
the group selection tool. (Arrow with the plus sign next to it.)
*Note* Hovering over the tool icon will give you the name of the tool in question.
Step 8: With the group selection tool you are able to select objects within a group and
isolate them. Use the tool to draw a box around the slug line information, which in turn
will highlight the selection.
Step 9: With the slug line highlighted, go to edit in main toolbar, then select cut. The
action will remove slug line from group.
Step 10: Go back up to edit and now click paste. The action places the slug line back on
template and is isolated from previous group location.
Step 11: Go back to your tool bar and select the selection tool (black arrow). Using your
selection tool move slug line to bottom of template outside of printable area. Doing this
step allows the press line to match job tickets to their plates, and make sure they are
printing the correct product for the correct customer.
Shortcut: You can toggle between selection tools by using a keyboard shortcut instead
of using toolbar.
Selection Tool: V on your keyboard (On both MAC and PC)
Direct Selection Tool: A on your keyboard (On both MAC and PC)
PLATE MULTIPLE IMAGES:
Step 12: Using your selection tool highlight main image. This will allow you to move the
image freely on the template. Line up image crop marks to the center crop marks on the
template.
Step 13: Keep image highlighted. Right click. Hover mouse over transform and then
select move.
Step 14: Move horizontally first. In the horizontal field type in width of file (this will be
located on your job ticket). Keep vertical at zero. Click copy. This will add a duplicate
image to the right of the original.
Step 15: Now youll move both images vertically. Rubber band select both images
(using selection tool, hold down left mouse button and drag across both images). With
both images selected, right click. Hover mouse over transform and then select move.
This time keep horizontal at zero and type in height of file (located on your job ticket) in
vertical field. Then click copy. This will copy images below the originals.
Step 16: Repeat Step 15 until printable area is filled by using command D (On a MAC) or
CTRL D (On a PC) to repeat same move. Depending on how big your files are will
determine how many up you will plate. You must keep imprint within the printable area
on the template. Usually you will be able to plate business deposits 6-8 up.
COMBINE BLACKS:
Step 17: To determine if the blacks within the files can be combined, place one of the
images on the MICR gauge located on the left side of the template. Make sure none of
the imprint falls into clear band area. If it does blacks cannot be combined. Send to
printer as is. If the black does not fall into clear band area move to step 18.
Step 18: In your workspace, go to the find and replace graphics tab. In the From field,
click the drop down and locate and select MICR-BLACK. In the To field, click the drop
down, locate and select C=0 M=0 Y=0 K=100. Make sure the Apply to field is selected
to Fills & Strokes.
Step 19: Click Change. The action will change all in imprint to CMYK black. This allows
efficiency when printing, so press operators do not have to ink their presses up two
different blacks.
SAVE AND PRINT:
Step 20: Go to file, then select Save as.
Step 21: Type in plate number that is located on your job ticket. Make sure you are
saving in the plated folder. Click Save.
Step 22: Go to file, then Select Print
Step 23: Select Custom Laser GTO print preset. Click print.
You are finished! Stamp your job ticket and move on to the next one.