Using “Die Lines” in Sierra
Make sure that you have your die line set as a spot color, and set to overprint in your source files, as well as your PDF. Ideally you name your spot color “Die Line” or “Dieline.”
To make things easier for future jobs, launch Sierra, and click on the Admin button. Click on the Ink Management task.
If the ink “Die Line” is not already in the library, add a new ink.
1. Use “Die Line” (or “Dieline”) for the name
2. Set the Colour Type to “Die Line”
3. Use any CMYK values for the swatch
4. Set the Print Mode as “Print As Spot.”
5. Click on Calculate to create the Neutral Density.
Once you have your first die link ink created, you can make other die line inks (or drill, punch, perforation inks). Alias each one of these new inks to the first die line ink you created.
If any of your future PDF files contain these die lines (matching by name), they are automatically mapped and treated correctly. You can see in the screenshot below that there is a small triangle next to the original ink, and the other ink is being properly mapped/aliased properly.
If you have a die line ink named something unusual, you can just change the ink properties in that specific job. Go to the Job Settings of the job, then click on the Ink icon.
Select your die line ink for that job and under the “Use Definition From” field, select “Override.” Just above, you will change the “Colour Type” to be “Die Line.” If you want, you could also change the CMYK preview values here to make it stand out more.
Always make sure your Overprint Settings are set to “Respect document settings” to ensure your die line is treated correctly. Between the settings above and respecting the document settings, your die line will appear on screen, but not on your plates (also avoiding a white rule line where the die line was).
You have an option for having your die line print on your PDF exported files (for your proofers). Under your PDF export option, click on the PDF Format icon (second from the left). In this option you will see just below the header Product Ink Management, an option that reads “Don’t Proof DieLine Inks.” Turn this off or on as you require.
