Expert: Nick Putthoff - 2/7/2008

Question
Hi Nick,
First, I have the original .ai files of the images in question.  I need to be able to insert the image in Word documents without the white default background.  I have tried the 'save for web' method but the shapes and text of the logo get really jagged.  Any ideas?  Thank you.

Answer
Kim,
I'm not very familiar with placing graphics in Word but I believe that Illustrator provides options specifically for Word.
Try go to file and scroll to Save for Microsoft office and check out the options.
Try copy and paste from illustrator to word. Since the default clipboard format for Illustrator is PDF Word may ignore the artboard as a white background.
If you are using transparencies check the Transparency Flattening presets at the Edit pull-down menu.
Go to File/Document setup and check the options for transparency there. (Click on the word "Artboard" in the top left of the Document setup window to reveal the other setup options)
Then lastly remember that Illustrator is a Postscript drawing program and that the most common export options are assuming that you will be printing to a Postscript device - so if the printer you are getting poor results from is not a postscript printer this may be your problem.
But even if your printer does not handle postscript and if you have the patience keep trying the different Illustrator export options that Word will except until you get lucky.


Good Luck


Nick