1 bit tiffs

All,

I have what I assumed would be a pretty simple task, however it has turned into a pain. I'm creating for a series of digital stamps for an application that processes checks. Stamps will say things like, Previously rejected - Do not redeposit. The app based on a status calls a file and it is placed on top of the check file.

Anyway the specs are black and white, 1 bit and tiff. SO, I'm typically an AI user so once I realized AI didn't do 1 bit tiffs I turned to PS...which I don't know that well. When I create a new document and make it bitmap, 1bit and the size I need, I'm VERY limited with what I can do with the text. I'm not really sure what's going on. I click on the screen with the text selection tool and the artboard area turns pick. I can't edit my text once I click off of it and it's basically blinking black and white??? There is no text layer created, I can't create layers, the text is added to the background layer (which is locked and can't be unlocked).

Could someone lead me down the path to glory here? I'm struggling.

I have the AI and PS CS3.

Thanks,
Micah

You're using the Type Mask tool. As you type, you are typing on a Quick Mask (the pink), and when you are done, it becomes a selection (the blinking black and white). This is tool you get if the icon for text in the tool box is a dotted outline 'T'. Click and hold it, and the alternates will fly out. Use the solid 'T'; that's the regular Text tool, which reamins editable.

John, thanks for the reply.

I'm using the Horizonal Type Tool, which is the solid black 'T'. The dotted outline 'T' is not showing when I click and see the pink, then the blinking b/w text.

If I create a work area and make it RGB rather than bitmap, the Horz type tool works as I would expect. Could it be something to do with the bitmap environment/doc type?

Thanks,
Micah

Bitmap mode doesn't support layers. Set your type in a greyscale or RGB file and then convert to bitmap.

Lesh, thanks for the response.

Again, I'm pretty basic so I wanted to make sure I understand fully.

I assume you mean create the work area in grayscale and then use the image->mode to 'convert' it to bitmap. Please confirm...

Once I've done that, what is the Method -- where the default is '50% Threshold'? Should I adjust that?

Thanks,
Micah

Micah,

I assume you mean create the work area in grayscale and then use the

image->mode to 'convert' it to bitmap. Please confirm...<<

Yes, that is correct.

I assume you mean create the work area in grayscale and then use the

image->mode to 'convert' it to bitmap. Please confirm...<<

That should be OK for the type of image you describe - anything at less than 50% will become black and anything greater than 50% will become white.

You can also look at the effect of using diffusion dither if you need some visual sensation of tone - it will look pretty awful on screen but will print surprisingly well.

And when you set your type, check the options bar - the anti-aliasing option of 'none' will give you type that is all black, and therefore no surprises when you convert to bitmap.