I've recently started a screenprinting business dealing with just T-shirts etc. Lately I have been using Paint Shop Pro to separate all of the colours into layers manually. Does CorelDraw have a feature that would allow me to reduce an image of 1-6 colours into separate coloured layers for further editing? I have read about the print separation feature which would be ideal, is it really that simple?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Nym, the answer to your question is Yes........... The answer to that same question is No.
Yes and No.
I've been doing color seps for screenprinters for more than 20 years. If you're asking if Corel has an automatic Sep option, then the answer is a definite yes.
If you're just starting out, I'm guessing that you'd be mainly interested in spot color seps. Working in Corel with vectors and a Pantone palette is a breeze.
However, your post and your choice of working with PSP makes me think you are starting out with raster images and 4CP or simulated process work.
This is definitely a more complicated process. Merely breaking a raster image down into separate colors isn't going to work very well translated to a tee shirt.
Give us more information. I'm sure someone here can provide you with some valuable information and direction.
I have been using PSP to break down JPG's etc into layers featuring each individual colour via "magic wand" with mixed results. It has worked well for plain text and blocky logos but Im finding it more difficult to transfer more detailed designs to shirts.
I really just started with PSP because it is a program I was familiar with when I was younger. Needless to say I am hunting for new programs. Corel Draw was highly recommended.
Because I can't source separation jobs out presently is there a website or tutorial that would teach me A to Z of using Corel Draw for screenprinting?
Again, Nym, seems to me that you are attempting to run before you've learned to take your first step.
Creating color seps from raster images involves a lot more than just dividing the image into colors.
By selecting the sep tab, Corel will instantly create CMYK plates for you...............but that is not the whole story.
My suggestion still remains the same. As a beginner, you should learn to do spot color seps first.
Many newbie's also use programs like Wilflex's Easy Art http://www.wilflexeasyart.com/ or QuikSeps http://www.quikseps.com/Pages/Framepage.html
Have you looked into automatic sep programs? You'll still need to do some manually tweaking, but at least they'll get you going in the right direction.
Another good suggestion would be to look around at Steve Yates site. Maybe some of his new Corel macros will help you.
http://steveyatesgraphics.com/