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How do I Create a Drop Shadow that Matches my Spot Color in VersaWorks® Dual?
Answer
How to Create a Drop Shadow that Matches Your Spot Color in VersaWorks® Dual
Roland VersaWorks Dual comes loaded with powerful variable data printing features, including tools for creating workflows where the image remains the same, but some of the data in the file is unique from one print to the next. For this week’s quick tip, I’ll show you how to create a drop shadow for the variable data portion of the file that matches the CMYK or RGB value for any RVW Spot Color. This process is ideal for adding value to applications like names and numbers on Jerseys. The best part is you can do this work directly within VersaWorks Dual, without having to return to the design software.
Here we have the preview screen for the variable data tab in RVW Dual. The main “Eagles Pride” logo, which has a very specific green color (the school’s main logo color), is used throughout the print. We selected RVW-DP07H to match this color. In the variable data fields (Johnson & 12) there is currently basic black text only, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all. However, to add a bit more “pop” and value to the print, you can add a drop shadow to match the logo color selected.
Step 1.
Before doing so, you’ll first need to take a step back and click on the file format tab where your spot color list is located. This is where you can find the CMYK value for the spot color chosen. I recommend writing this value down, so you’ll have the information ready to go when it’s time to add it into your variable data file.
Step 2.
Next, click back to the variable data tab and select the part of the data you want to enhance. You can select the entire row to have the changes you make copied to all data in that row, or you can select individual portions of the data. In this case, I am just going to highlight the number “12.”
Step 3.
The next step is setting up the attributes for the text. Select the font type, size and other adjustments to make the text fit as desired within the variable data field. To create the drop shadow, click on the drop shadow icon (which looks like a dollar sign) located in the “effect” row (this will open the drop shadow icon at the bottom of the attributes tab on the right-hand side). The color settings tab will also pop up, allowing you to select either RGB or CMYK values to create the spot color-matching drop shadow.
Step 4.
Use the CMYK value you wrote down, based on the values given in the spot color list when you were in the “File Format” tab (in this case it was C = 36.9, Y=0, M=72.9, K=40). Then, click OK.
Final product
The result will leave a color-matched drop shadow. You can adjust the offset to make the drop shadow appeal to the eye and fit perfectly, just as if you had created the variable data portion of the file in your design software. Making the adjustments only once, and having them take effect globally on all prints in the file, is a huge time-saving feature.
View the recording of our recent webinar presented by UV Product Manager Jay Roberts to learn about additional VersaWorks Dual tools and features, including additional tricks using variable data.
Best Regards,
Daniel Valade
Product Manager - Color Products
     
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