Grayscale Image Question
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- d_rek
Ok, so I have a grayscale image that I want to use for a print project. Now I would like the image to be 1-color. Even though it is grayscale areas of the image are still picking up percentages of CMY throughout.
I guess what i'm asking is this: Is there a way to make the image 1-color, drop out the CMY percentages and convert those values to percentages of Black? I would like this job to be a 2color job - black + 1 spot ink (for a couple reasons).
I tried scraping the web for an answer but there isn't much helpful info out there. I haven't called a printer yet but I suppose that would be my next step.
The image in question:
I appreciate the help in advance.
- d_rek0
Jeez. I may have found the answer. 'Monotone'.
Thnx anyway! :D
- d_rek0
Mr_Right,
Yes. I know how to convert it to grayscale - problem is after I do that it 's still picking up CMY values.
- d_rek0
Mr_Right,
Just Black ink - or think of it as a single spot color.
- Mr_Right0
Still contains CMY values after converting to greyscale?? Are you reading the value with the "info" panel? Because it will read the values for what you have the info box set on. Go to the channel menu an see what you have there. Is it just one channel: gray?
- d_rek0
Anyway. Converting to monotone and changing the value to 100% black is what i'm trying to do. I think that should work.
*starts running proofs*
- Mr_Right0
*puts feet up, contemplates how to ask boss for raise.*
anyway, if your just wanting it to print black, changing it to monotone 100% black is an extra unnecessary step. As long as it's grayscale, it should be good to go.
- inkpink0
not sure what you're on about monotone. via duotone? totally unnecessary and correct if you want grayscale images in a CMYK print job. a monotone image placed in a process job will either sep as a spot or more likely get converted to a CMYK black. which defeats what you're trying to do.
convert it to a grayscale profile.
the CMY values are just showing due to your color picker settings. get the grayscale readings and try to keep your values between 5% and 95% to avoid blown out highlights and over saturated shadows.
using a black and white adjustment layer is helpful for getting optimum greyscale values. measure with picker in rgb then convert to grayscale.
- bjladams0
on our large format printers, just change to grayscale will not create a pure b+w print- they often come out showing hints of cyan. if you are using a rip, there is usually an option for "print actual" instead of perceptual colors and then as you said before click the monotone option. we are also able to turn off our CMY as well as the light c and light m.
- bjladams0
some of our hardest clients are freelance designers who drop off 'grayscale' files and tell us to just hit print- they dont understand the difference between grayscale and a monotone setting when a digital printer is being used- and we get a lot of "well, it looked right on my screen" or "my laser printer could do it just right"
-you were right on the money with the monotone setting. will help your printer out immensely.
- d_rek0
Hopefully this clears up my intention:
The image above I want to be strictly black ink. I don't want any percentages of CMY to comprise the image - I would like the entire thing to be monotone; one-color. The other spot ink will be for a something else entirely on the job.
- we prefer files in monotone- it seems to save everyone the hassle of proof after proof after proof. but that's us.bjladams
- inkpink0
yup understood from the get go;
forget monotone, change it to grayscale.
if you're still unsure about the CMY values, save it as a grayscale tiff, place into your AI or ID layout, and you can apply whatever color you like; 0,0,0,100 (which it already is) or a spot called BLACK.
- well... when we use our machines to print- they seem to prefer monotone files... but d_rek is not using our machines.bjladams
- machinesbjladams
- monotone option in photoshop is leftover from days when layout apps could apply color to grayscale imagesinkpink
- *couldn't applyinkpink
- or for people who do spot layouts in photoshop, but why would you do that?inkpink
- we dont convert to monotone in photoshop- we do it in rasterlink pro, but the monotone photoshop files help with the rip.bjladams
- rip
bjladams
- invisiblechamber0
Bauernduplex™
- very old german word for: "build a one-colour document and tell the printer to use it twice".invisiblechamber
- +1bjladams
- instrmntl0
Be sure to use levels and curves to push the greys where you want em.
- Remixt0
Most civil advise given on this forum ever. Where's the pwning & trash talk?
- d_rek0
Well I have the image as both a monotone and grayscale image - i'm going to contact my printer next to see what they prefer. I do appreciate the feedback inkpink - you'll have to forgive me but my pre-press skillset is intermediate - still learning my way around minutae of print production.
- inkpink0
ok but please just do me 1 favor:
drop a grayscale tiff into AI or ID and apply a color swatch... make it spot or process, don't matter.
you're really limiting your print skill set if you don't give this a try.