CMYK -> Pantone?
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- randomname
Is there an easy way to find the best Pantone match for a CMYK value?
I have a bunch of colors that are going to the printer.
- Amicus0
Open Pantone Book, choose colour.
Or do you mean CMYK for a Pantone?
- monospaced0
If you have CMYK values why would you start swapping them for, or add, Pantone spots? Does the print job contain any photography? If so you might be adding to the cost. It really is best to look at a Pantone book and pick the colors you like in good light, and choose according to the paper as well. Good luck.
- detritus0
Photoshop is good for this.
Click the 'colour libraries' option in the colour picker.
- dyspl0
in illustrator :
http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutor…
- randomname0
If I'm sending it to the printer, I want it in two Pantone's rather than two CMYK values?
It will be cheaper right?
- Amicus0
Not necessarily cheaper, but you will get the exact shade you asked for. You can also get brighter, more pure looking colours in many parts of the spectrum.
The reason, it's not necessarily cheaper is that most printers these days are setup to do CMYK on the fly. To do anything else requires extra time to clean the rollers, load the colours and cleanup again at the end.
- monospaced0
If one of the colors is relatively light, I say go with the Pantone options. CYMK is less impressive on light colors. Either way, try to look at a swatch book.
- randomname0
For a normal cheap job on uncoated paper, do I use Process Uncoated colors?
- randomname0
or Solid uncoated?
- monospaced0
solid
- Amicus0
Use Process Uncoated if you end up printing CMYK and Solid uncoated if you end up printing spot colour.
- randomname0
So for a two color job on a budget, I should use process uncoated?
- mydo0
Pantone process is just cymk with a handy book for reference right?
Do most of your studios have a set of process and solid books, or just solid?
- monospaced0
... not sure if serious, or just trolling ...
- hiatus0
*note - the only real issue I've found is printing the blue spectrum(true ultramarine blue) for this I would go with Pantone. If it doesn't need to be be super accurate and on budget. listen to the other jedi's here.
- oranges, greens and pastels are all problematic as well. slight shifts screw everything over.Amicus
- randomname0
I don't usually print anything but digital color jobs.
- maikel0
Back in the day it was a thing called Hexachrome which was CMYK+OG
A quick google on colour theory will give a general idea of why, and will also explain what GAMUT is and how quickly you can end off it.
Anyway, as mono said light colour in CMYK = eugh. I will add, gray in CMYK = trouble. And using software to match a CMYK to a Pantone = joke. It is not going to happen.
@ mydo: I've got solid, process and bridge. And now that I'm involved in product design would be quite happy to see a RAL to Pantone.
- Pantone - RAL would be way useful... I fucked this up before xmas and got a red cabinet instead of a reddish gray somehow... still haven't figured that one outkingsteven
- hans_glib0
@maikel: http://www.imi21.com/ral-convers…
- Thanks - I was thinking more along the lines of a swatch book...maikel
- monoboy0
You need the Pantone Bridge system. Match by eye too.
There's a lot of variables to watch out for. Type of press, paper stock and the ability of the printer. Also length of run.
Can be impossible to match a PMS in CMYK. Ask your printer for advice. Also a case of managing client expectations.
If colour is really important to them, they'll have to stump up the cash for a PMS run.