David Riecks wrote
>They send you back a "correction" file which you then drag and drop on to the
>same software, which launches and "filters" your RGB data into CMYK, ready
>for
>the printer.
>
>The only caveat is that you must have a good fix on the following:
>
>Linescreen: (150 lpi, 175 lpi, or the euro equivalents)
>Type of press: (sheetfed or web offset)
>Type of separation: GCR (light, medium, heavy), UCR, etc
>Amount of "total ink": typically 285 to 300 for SWOP, higher for sheetfed
Hi David ( and David ) ,
If you get the information above , plus maximum black , dot gain curves
etc you have already overcome the biggest hurdle in supplying CMYK .
Getting this info , or better still a profile of the press/proofing
target , can vary between a simple matter of an open intelligent dialogue
with the prepress / press house to the eyewateringly painful discussion
of what constitutes 'ordinary CMYK ' from our less cooperative/CM savvy
repro brethren. ( BTW ..GCR,UCR etc are not necessarily a preset that
has to be defined by the printer. Some printers will define a preference
, but this isn't always a preference that has best image quality at it's
heart. It can be influenced by the desire for ink cost savings etc. )
The great advantage of supplying your own CMYK , especially when done
with confidence , is that you can exert real control over how your
photography translates into the printed page . Many third parties can do
your conversions for you with varying degrees of accuracy and with
different subjective calls on how best to 'correct' colour.
If in doubt don't do it yourself , as it can come back and bite you, but
better still , learn the skills and get not only control but increased
revenue from the conversion process. There are some great books on the
subject available , and it's also possible to find some of the many
knowledgeable press guys out there by just phoning up and asking to
As Richard Lewisohn kindly mentioned , we occasionally run courses on
the digital workflow including the above scenarios . These courses are a
result of the experiences we have had in supplying digital image files in
all flavours to blue chip clients over the past many years, and our
contact with other professional bodies in the supply chain. We feel that
it's time to redress the balance towards photographers on the many issues
of digital file supply , and give them the knowledge and confidence to
talk to both clients and press houses in a productive manner. Anybody
interested can write off list to get on our mailing list for the next
session.
Regards ,
Bob Marchant.
------------Colour Therapy------------
Digital Imaging
Training and Consultancy on Digital Workflow
t:0207 381 3337
===============================================================
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