Output CMYK
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- usrper0
ok getting mixed signals here.
but I'm guessing that it's actually ok not to.
- monospaced0
If it's just a cheaper run on-demand, it's probably not a big deal. If you're going on-press, offset, and delivering and InDesign package it's just best to leave it to the pros. With current technology the prepress part has become less of a burden for the designer.
- i_monk0
Why would you want to leave design decisions to a non-designer? You tell the printer what you want and he tells you how he can do it for you.
- I can't figure out if we're agreeing with each other here.monospaced
- We aren't.i_monk
- monospaced0
So much impacts color, from ink densities to stock choices, UV coatings, etc. On press is the best way to modify the look and it's better that the printer (a good one) sets up the images for their press, converting them to CMYK for you. I've been doing this for years and it's definitely the best way to go.
Anyway, Photoshop's conversion to CMYK is the same one Acrobat and InDesign's PDF export use. You simply select the color profile, if you want to assume one and if you know it.
- I said use Photoshop, but I didn't say simply automate it or use the default settings. Conversion can drastically shift some colours and turn a bright image dull.i_monk
- turn bright things dull or muddy. And if you're only proofing from the PDF, you're seeing CMYK converted back to RGB for the screen.i_monk
- screen.i_monk
- exactly, that's why it's best to work with the printer to set up files, or have them do itmonospaced
- usrper0
Thanks mono, just the info i need :)
- Eighty0
If you can supply proofs as well it wouldn't hurt. Don't assume the printer will know exactly what you're after.
- that's why you go 'on press' for 'press checks' and review 'proofs'monospaced
- Not everyone 'can' do that.i_monk
- and many things can't be fixed on press.Gnash
- Gnash0
If you use an acrobat cmyk profile to convert at the PDF stage it can sometimes play havoc with the way blacks are separated. Check your separations in the PDF. The black can be sep'd into 4 colours in places that it should overprinting. which would make for icky text and make some blacks look muddy
- default is to output all blacks as rich, so usually not a problemmonospaced
- but, i see your pointmonospaced
- bjladams0
man - when i worked as a printer, the files that came thru that had rgb, cmyk, and pantones all in the same document were more troubling than we ever let our clients know. even with running the entire publications thru the conversion software in the rip. it tried it's best, but there were still hours of going back and fine tuning images one by one.
if everything was created in rgb, it was (almost) simple enough - but if you've got any other profiles in there, it can be tough.
the most difficult colors were yellows turning muddy.
good luck.- course, it's been 2 years... a lot could have changed.bjladams
- ********0
Seriously, if it's such a "big book" I don't understand why you wouldn't want it outputted correctly.
Convert your images to CMYK (You might have to color correct depending on how it re-registers the information)
Re-link your files in the InDesign document with the updated CMYK conversions.
Communication between printers, why type of computer, why type of application used to ouput: All of these items have their own color configurations.
Big book means a lot of paper. Do it right the first time.
Also you should be providing the printer your InDesign document with all linked images and fonts as an asset delivery. If your printing from a PDF you might as well get the shit printed at Kinkos.
- horton0
a lot here depends on the quality of job you are printing. obviously you would not want to blindly convert images in an art book, but mail order catalog... perhaps.
but as often the case, talk to your printer not qbn.
also pretty good chance they'll ding you with a big fee to convert images to cmyk, even if it's just built into their final PDF export.
one printer has even given me a specific in-house cmyk profile for their press.
i'd suggest duplicate your image folder and create a quick batch convert... will take 2 minutes to setup and let it work while you have coffee.
- akrok0
"shit printed at Kinkos" that's it! ;-)
- randommail0
Call up printer and ask them to email you the color profile file.
Place that file into your Library within color profiles.
Open the INDD file and assign profile.
Export a new print-ready PDF with that profile.
Done.- yup, simplemonospaced
- or just provide printer with ID package and they'll rip it for youmonospaced
- monospaced0
it's true
- ********0
your best bet is just to be safe and change all the images. are they embedded? they should be placed and all put in one folder and then you could just run a photoshop action to convert them all
- who the fuck embeds images in InDesign!?monospaced
- exactly********
- i_monk0
Why would to want to leave the colours to some unseen process in Acrobat? Convert them yourself in Photoshop and adjust as necessary.
And next time don't put RGB in a print layout unless it's destined for an RGB printer.
- usrper0
There are a ton of images and not much time. If it can be avoided then it would be great.
- monospaced0
Why would you want to leave the colors to your eye and monitor when you can just let the professionals (printer) do the job for you?
If you just want a CMYK PDF, don't bother with Photoshop. Just export.