Expert: Nick Putthoff - 2/15/2008

Question
My client gave me a bar code which is an EPS. Although it appears black it is
actually CMYK. I need it to be one color (black) and do not know illustrator
very well and cannot figure it out. I tried to select all and then do fill black.
That does not seem to change anything. Could you explain step by step how
to make my bar code black? Thank you very much for any help you can offer.
Sincerely, Mary

Answer
Mary,
I think you are trying to apply a fill to a placed EPS graphic in Illustrator. Try selecting the EPS graphic with the Links palette visible, then choose the Embed option from the Links palette side menu. If the file is vector then you will have objects that can be filled just  like any other Illustrator object. If the artwork is a raster image then you will have and embedded raster image that can be filled like any other Illustrator raster object. If the object is a raster image be sure to choose a resolution option suitable for your printing requirements.

Good Luck

Nick