Color print order is the order in which the system handles color separations. The system uses color order in two situations:
- Page and imposed proof and output for combining separations
- Color management and trapping
During page and imposed output, the Print Order dialog box specifies the order in which the system outputs color separations from a signature or layout. When the system outputs the color separations, it outputs them starting from the top of the list. In other words, the colors at the top of the list print before the colors at the bottom of the list.
During color mapping, the Print Order dialog box specifies the order in which the system traps the colors from an input file. When the system traps the color separations, it traps them starting from the top of the list. In other words, the colors at the top of the list are trapped before the colors at the bottom of the list. It is important to know the color printing order because the first-down ink on the substrate must pull the second-down ink from the plate or cylinder, and knowing which colors these are can help you avoid unsightly trap colors.
You can only define the print order if you submit your input file via the Template Palette. If no print order is defined, the system assumes the following print order: CMYK, spot colors, and dielines, with spot colors and dielines being in alphabetic order.
- See Submitting files to the template palette.
- In the Process Start dialog box, click Colors.
- In the Color Mapping dialog box, click Print Order.
- In the Print Order dialog box, in the Color list, select a color.
- Click Sooner or Later to order the colors as required.
- Click OK.