Looking for Color Separation Help

[scrojo]

goodtimes speaks the wisdom.

[Andymac]

OK...seriously...wrap your head around this because this is all you need to know and where you start.

One color at a time. Each film is black. You don't design and then decide to screen print. You decide to screen print and design accordingly.

You're gonna fuck up. It's a given. That's the only way to learn. We all fucked up then figured out why.

you're not dead yet. that's it, in less than 100 words

[guybur]

OK...seriously...wrap your head around this because this is all you need to know and where you start.

One color at a time. Each film is black. You don't design and then decide to screen print. You decide to screen print and design accordingly.

You're gonna fuck up. It's a given. That's the only way to learn. We all fucked up then figured out why.

But that's all technical mumbo jumbo.

If only someone here had written a book on the subject you could order? If only.......

[Paul Michael]

OK...seriously...wrap your head around this because this is all you need to know and where you start.

One color at a time. Each film is black. You don't design and then decide to screen print. You decide to screen print and design accordingly.

You're gonna fuck up. It's a given. That's the only way to learn. We all fucked up then figured out why.

Richie, this makes total sense and is extremely helpful and insightful, but I guess I'd like to become comfortable with the process before the actual execution in a digital environment before going to print. Really wrap my brain around the concept of "screen print and design accordingly" rather than the opposite which is what I am extremely comfortable in. And my problem is I need to actual see something (in Photoshop) to really get it. Hence the want for someone to color separate one of my files.

[squeegeethree]

From the example you showed there's nothing to "get" it's a photo screen print with text on it. You really can't have that little imagination.
Layer #1 :Black Ink Halftone Photo Image
Layer #2 : Type

[Paul Michael]

I guess my concern is how the ink will display on the paper. From a bitmap halftone that is pixel perfect (jagged) on screen to then being converted to a screen and printed on paper, it would become a bit more smoother correct because of bleed, right?

I know that sounds dumb maybe, but I really have zero experience with silk screen printing based from a computer. Using film and such yes, but that is totally different.

[RichieGoodtimes]

I, personally, don't believe that I can actually help you out here. I could separate just about anything you send my way but as far as you learning anything from looking at what I've done it would more than likely create more confusion since the real trick is not the result, but getting from A to B to get the result. You gotta trust me on this one.

I see six ways to go about separating the image you used as an example. Each way creates a different aesthetic. None of the ways I see are the 'correct' answer. It all depends on how you want it to look...or what your budget is.

That could be a 2 color. Blue and brown halftones on tan. It could be a 4 color, with blue but 3 halftoned layers of light browns building to a dark brown. It could be an 8 color with no halftones and multiple layers of light browns building up in a greyscale from light to dark. Or it could be backwards from dark to light using semi transparent inks. None of those are the 'right' way to do it. There is no right answer or one way to do things.

[steve w]

go to a local print shop and ask nicely to see their films.
some things can't be explained on the internet or over the phone.

[Paul Michael]

Richie, thanks for the great input. I need to just jump in and experiment and "baptize myself by fire" so to speak - and speaking of which, how is there not a thrash metal band called Baptized by Fire yet?!?!

Anyways, thanks again and now I'll start making some screens.

[Andymac]

I guess my concern is how the ink will display on the paper. From a bitmap halftone that is pixel perfect (jagged) on screen to then being converted to a screen and printed on paper, it would become a bit more smoother correct because of bleed, right?

I know that sounds dumb maybe, but I really have zero experience with silk screen printing based from a computer. Using film and such yes, but that is totally different.

the film you print in black will look more or less like the image you will print through your stencil. If you are going to print this yourself, you have a whole other learning curve to make a screen with the halftone and then print.

and forget trying to do an ultra fine line screen to make it photographic. you want that, stick to digital. IN this case, make a coarse line screen of the black 25-45 line. the blue is just a solid (black on film, print the colored ink)

go look at the treads where people are showing their seps and steps. then do it. then do it again.