Expert: Glen Demers - 4/12/2010

Question
QUESTION: hi, i generated a barcode from tec-it.com after i copy and paste to photoshop.its in 100% , when i print it its not good  because its pixalate  and blocks or mosaic on the edge of the barcode and number. if i increase to 200 % or 300 % i can see the mosaic ,block or pixalate. i hope you understand what i come to say. could you plz help me how can i get rid of these block , pixalate even if i increase to 200 or 300 %.  can u teach me step by step. also can you suggest me do i have to buy any software or download any plugins for photo shop. so the bar code will good for printing labels.

ANSWER: Hi Abdulkader,

When you paste the bar-code into Photoshop, you are rendering it as a bitmap. You need to retain the vector image. Depending on which version of Photoshop you have and your output device, this can be tricky.

When you copy - paste, make sure it is pasted as paths or a smart object. Save the file as an .eps file to preserve the vector paths. You will also need to print to a postscript printer. When you open the file again, Photoshop will rasterize the barcode, so you'll have to create a new Photoshop file each time you want to print out a label with a barcode

You would be much better off to place your barcode, along with your photoshop work,  in a page layout program such as Quark or InDesign. This would give you many more output options.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Adobe Certified Expert, Photoshop 7
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more Photoshop tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/photoshop.htm

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i am using adobe photoshop cs2 and i do have adobe illustrator cs4. how can i paste it as path or smart object. you want me to paste it and save as .eps and open the saved  file .

Answer
Use Illustrator - it's made for handling vector graphics. It should be your first choice far above Photoshop for handling barcode graphics.

When you paste it into Photoshop a dialog box will come up and ask how to paste it - choose paths or smart object. Then print to a postscript printer.

Save as an .eps only if you're going to place it in another program. Once you open a saved .eps into Photoshop, it will no longer be good.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Adobe Certified Expert, Photoshop 7
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more Photoshop tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/photoshop.htm