Getting Started Guide

Set Up Zero

Get up and running in just a few steps. Follow this guide to install Zero and prepare your artwork for professional separations.

1. Installation2. Artwork Preparation3. Using the Template
1

Installation

Follow the steps below to install Zero on your computer. Choose your operating system to see the right instructions.

Step 1

Unzip the download

Double-click the downloaded .zip file to extract it.
Step 2

Run the installer

Open the mac folder, right-click Install (Mac).command, and select Open. When the security warning appears, click Open again.
Step 3

Complete the installation

A Terminal window will appear. Press Enter to finish. You can close the Terminal when it's done.
Step 4

Copy files to Illustrator

Drag these items into your Illustrator Scripts folder:
  • Zero.jsx
  • ZeroHelper.app (from the mac folder)
/Applications/Adobe Illustrator/Presets/en_US/Scripts/
Step 5

Restart Illustrator

If Illustrator is open, quit and relaunch it.
Step 6

Launch Zero

Go to File Scripts Zero

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2

Prepare Your Artwork

Before running Zero, make sure your artwork is clean and ready for separation. Taking a few moments to prepare your file will ensure the best results.

Spot Colors Are Essential

Zero works with vector-based spot color artwork. Before processing, you must apply spot colors from your ink library to all colors and gradients in your design. This ensures each separation matches the actual inks you'll print with.

What Zero Handles For You

Don't worry about expanding appearances, cleaning up stray points, or merging overlapping shapes—Zero handles all of that automatically during processing. Just focus on the checklist below.

Apply spot colors to all artwork

Required

Every color in your artwork must be a named spot color that matches the inks you'll print with. Open your Swatches panel and apply colors from your ink library to all fills and strokes. CMYK and RGB colors are not supported.

Use spot colors in gradients

Required

Any gradients in your design must also use spot colors. Select your gradients and make sure each color stop uses a spot color from your ink library—not CMYK or RGB.

Convert text to outlines

Required

Select all text and go to Type → Create Outlines. This converts live text into vector shapes that can be properly separated.

No embedded or linked images

Zero works with vector artwork only. Remove any raster images (photos, PNGs, JPEGs) from your design before processing.

No pattern fills

Pattern fills are not supported. If your design uses patterns, expand them to regular vector shapes first (Object → Expand).

Pro Tip

Create a custom swatch library with your most-used ink colors. This makes it easy to apply consistent spot colors across all your designs. In Illustrator, go to Window → Swatch Libraries → Save Swatches to create your library.

3

Use the Template

Always process your separations using the included template for consistent, professional results.

zero.ait Template

The download includes a zero.ait Adobe Illustrator template. This template is pre-configured with the correct artboard sizes, registration marks, and layer structure for professional separations.

How to use:

  1. 1.Open the template (File → New from Template)
  2. 2.Place or paste your prepared artwork
  3. 3.Run Zero from File → Scripts → Zero

You're All Set!

With Zero installed and your artwork prepared, you're ready to create professional color separations in seconds.

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