Print dialog box options, Printer resolution and screen frequency – Adobe Illustrator CS3 User Manual
Page 408
ILLUSTRATOR CS3
User Guide
402
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To create artwork that does not print or export, even when visible on the artboard, select Template in the Layer
Options dialog box.
Note: You can also specify multiple crop areas in your document and then choose one area at a time for printing in the
Print dialog box. Only artwork within the crop area prints. For a video on defining crop areas for print, see
.
See also
“Layers panel overview” on page 211
“Create, edit, and delete crop areas” on page 38
Print dialog box options
Each category of options in the Print dialog box—from General options to Summary options—is organized to guide
you through the process of printing your document. To display a set of options, select the set name on the left side
of the dialog box. Many of these options are preset by the startup profile you chose when you started your document.
General
Set the page size and orientation, specify how many pages to print, scale the artwork, and choose which
layers to print.
Setup
Specify how to crop the artwork, change the placement of artwork on the page, and specify how to print
artwork that doesn’t fit on a single page.
Marks & Bleed
Select printer’s marks and create a bleed.
Output
Create color separations.
Graphics
Set printing options for paths, fonts, PostScript files, gradients, meshes, and blends.
Color Management
Select a color profile and rendering intent for printing.
Advanced
Control the flattening (or possible rasterization) of vector artwork during printing.
Summary
View and save a summary of print settings.
See also
“Create new documents” on page 34
Printer resolution and screen frequency
Printer resolution is measured in the number of ink dots produced per inch (dpi). Most desktop laser printers have
a resolution of 600 dpi, and imagesetters have a resolution of 1200 dpi or higher. Inkjet printers produce a micro-
scopic spray of ink, not actual dots; however, most inkjet printers have an approximate resolution of 300 to 720 dpi.
When printing to a desktop laser printer, but especially to imagesetters, you must also consider screen frequency.
Screen frequency is the number of halftone cells per inch used to print grayscale images or color separations. Also
known as screen ruling or line screen, screen frequency is measured in lines per inch (lpi)—or lines of cells per inch
in a halftone screen.
A high line-screen ruling (for example, 150 lpi) spaces the dots used to create an image close together to create a
finely rendered image on the press; a low screen ruling (60 lpi to 85 lpi) spaces the dots farther apart to create a
coarser image. The size of the dots is also determined by the line screen. A high line-screen ruling uses small dots; a
low screen ruling uses large dots. The most important factor in choosing a line-screen ruling is the type of printing
press your job uses. Ask your print shop how fine a line screen its press can hold, and make your choices accordingly.