Illustrator Background

Gino · 01-06-2008, 01:41 PM

In illustrator when I create something say a business card...and I save it as like a tiff or jpeg it tends to crop the design not by the canvas size but by the objects in the canvas which is really annoying.

Is there an optin some where to fix this or do you HAVE to put like a solid block of white or color as the background layer to match the canvas size?

Does adding a solid block of white behind your text if your printing on white paper effect the look of the printed text?

spoongraphics · 01-07-2008, 07:59 AM

One solution is to draw a rectangle over your artwork in the dimensions you require for your export, then with the object selected go to Object > Crop Area > Make.
(Alternatively, choosing this option without drawing the rectangle first will default to the artboard size)

When you export your work as a Tiff or Jpeg it will be cropped to these dimensions.

Another solution is to draw your rectangle at the desired dimensions, then with your objects selected use the 'Crop' button in the Pathfinder window.
I've yet to discover how to use this second solution without it wiping out any gradients or transparencies from the objects though!

Gino · 01-07-2008, 09:46 AM

Great thank you for the advice, I will try it out today.

Nathan · 01-07-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gino

In illustrator when I create something say a business card...and I save it as like a tiff or jpeg it tends to crop the design not by the canvas size but by the objects in the canvas which is really annoying.

Is there an optin some where to fix this or do you HAVE to put like a solid block of white or color as the background layer to match the canvas size?

Does adding a solid block of white behind your text if your printing on white paper effect the look of the printed text?

First, if you can at all avoid delivering work as JPG or TIFF, I can't recommend it enough. PDFs shall set you free.

If that's not an option, the quickest way to get the image exported to JPG cropped to the artboard is (ab)using the Save for Web option in Illustrator (File > Save for Web).

If you click the Image Size tab, you'll see a Clip to Artboard checkbox; check that. You'll also see a box for size, set as a percentage of the original image. 417% = ~300 DPI, 833% = ~600 DPI. Make sure you click Apply, and save your image. Ta da.

Depending on your image, the higher resolution export might not work with this method, since it's not made for this sort of thing.

Gino · 01-07-2008, 11:07 PM

Great tips, thank you guys =)

01-06-2008, 01:41 PM	#1
Gino Administrator/Founder Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 1,001	Illustrator Background In illustrator when I create something say a business card...and I save it as like a tiff or jpeg it tends to crop the design not by the canvas size but by the objects in the canvas which is really annoying. Is there an optin some where to fix this or do you HAVE to put like a solid block of white or color as the background layer to match the canvas size? Does adding a solid block of white behind your text if your printing on white paper effect the look of the printed text? __________________ DESIGN BLOG // T SHIRT BLOG // ANIMAL PRINT SHIRTS

01-07-2008, 07:59 AM	#2
spoongraphics Designer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 39	One solution is to draw a rectangle over your artwork in the dimensions you require for your export, then with the object selected go to Object > Crop Area > Make. (Alternatively, choosing this option without drawing the rectangle first will default to the artboard size) When you export your work as a Tiff or Jpeg it will be cropped to these dimensions. Another solution is to draw your rectangle at the desired dimensions, then with your objects selected use the 'Crop' button in the Pathfinder window. I've yet to discover how to use this second solution without it wiping out any gradients or transparencies from the objects though! __________________ Blog.SpoonGraphics - Design Tutorials, Graphic Design Articles and Free Vector Downloads

01-07-2008, 09:46 AM	#3
Gino Administrator/Founder Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 1,001	Great thank you for the advice, I will try it out today. __________________ DESIGN BLOG // T SHIRT BLOG // ANIMAL PRINT SHIRTS

01-07-2008, 11:07 PM	#5
Gino Administrator/Founder Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 1,001	Great tips, thank you guys =) __________________ DESIGN BLOG // T SHIRT BLOG // ANIMAL PRINT SHIRTS

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode


Welcome to our Graphic Design Forums! Your Design Forums has active graphic design forums where community members discuss graphic design related topics.