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Fog Frog
Participant
September 1, 2014
Question

Converting RGB to CMYK color

  • September 1, 2014
  • 2 replies
  • 17283 views

Hi All,

I have few BASIC Questions on converting RGB to CMYK  in Photoshop and Illustrator. Hope could get some professional insights here.

1, Are all the DTG printers set only in CMYK color mode ?


2, If there is no difference after viewing RGB image with 'Gamaut Warning' (Photoshop),  Does that mean I'll have the exact print result as monitor view ?

and Basically no need for CMYK conversion  ?

3, Please list some the most effective way to convert RGB to CMYK, and keep the final CMYK color result as close as the RGB.

4, when I simply convert one RGB image to CMYK color, why Ps/AI don't allow me to save as PNG file ?

( I save the file as PDF, but I cannot edit this PDF using apple preview app  )

5, compare Photoshop to Illustrator, which one result better final CMYK color image ?

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    F
    Fog FrogAuthor
    Participant
    September 2, 2014


    Thanks for the detailed reply. Sure clear some of the doubts.

    I just start to draw/design in Photoshop and illustrator, I save my files most as PNG, for a transparent background.

    After I went to officework do the poster printing, I found the color of my print image are not as vivid as Mac preview.

    To be precise, the poster I printed looks like has a very thin grey layer, it is not much noticeable, but it indeed lost some vivid color.  As I want to print out my works and keep color as close exact as Mac preview,  here is the issue of coverting RGB CMYK.

    Please feel free to add for below:

    1, Should I set color space in CMYK before drawing in PS/AI 

    2,  in PS, I convert profile from PNG file to CMYK save as psd file,  that psd file preview exactly same as PNG.

    But when saved as PDF, the file preview a bit grey.  Can someone explain this?

    3, Now im thinking, since CMYK is all about printers, it really should be the profession in printing shop who shall check my image, and edit/convert to the right color space to fit their printers.

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    September 2, 2014

    Yes, ideally you work in RGB and the printing professional converts to CMYK. Or they do not, but their system converts. This should be fine. If they want CMYK they may be old fashioned. Be sure they tell you the CMYK profile to use, or you cannot convert properly.

    Things to consider

    1. The gamut for CMYK is smaller than RGB. Some bright colours may be lost.

    2. Don't use PNG. Don't use Preview.

    3. Never save from Illustrator as ANY KIND of bitmap format.

    4. If your monitor is not calibrated, or if you do not use colour managed software to view the file, your colours are just random and you cannot match them except by luck.

    What do you compose the page in? You mention Illustrator, Photoshop and transparent images. The professional choice for combining these would be InDesign.

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    September 1, 2014

    3) What matters is using the right profiles. If you don't know the CMYK profile to use, conversion is worse than pointless, it is damaging.

    4) PNG is an RGB format. It is not one used in press production. TIFF is the preferred raster format.

    5) It is not a question of which one is best. Vector work is done in Ilustrator and raster work in Photoshop. You convert in the app you are using; on no account "go to the other app" because you think it will give better results because needless conversion to raster is a disaster. Above all don't be seduced by the "web way" of working where everything is an image file.

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