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How do I convert an eps CMYK file to a bitmap?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
July 20, 2019
5 replies
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I have spent some time learning to print photos with a Brother MFC-9340CDW laser printer. I finally managed to achieve acceptable results by saving a jpg RGB photo to eps with a CMYK print format to interface with the Brother printer. It has been a sharp learning curve with a final attempt to modify color using the Brother manual printing preferences color mode settings.

I thought I could adjust brightness levels in settings using the CMYK photo image window that initially displays a default. When I attempted to search for the photo I was trying to adjust, I found my next hurdle. The only selection allowable was a bitmap image. So far I have not found a solution with the "Save as" options provided in Photoshop CC or Illustrator CS6 that is selected when I double click the eps file.

How can I convert the eps CMYK image to a bitmap or do I have to backtrack to an earlier stage from a jpg image?

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Correct answer gener7

Unfortunately my Brother MFC-9340CDW laser printer does not have an RGB-CMYK converter in its software. In answer to the several definitions for bitmap depending on the user, I have been asked to clarify what I mean by bitmap in several replies. Since I do not know what Brother's definition is, I sent and email to Brother support for clarification. Without a definition, the reply appears to provide a solution that is printer specific and is as follows:

NOTE: Reading past the first short sentence, are instructions to install a "BR-Script driver" that I imagine provides the conversion for my printer to print a jpg file.

"With respect to what is meant by bitmap, I would use a jpg file format.

But before doing that, since you working in a Windows 10 environment, I would ask you to download and install the BR-Script driver (Postscript language emulation). It can be downloaded from this link: https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadtop.aspx?c=ca&lang=en&prod=mfc9340cdw_all Please click on the link, click search, then, under Drivers, click show all and the driver in question should be available. Click on the driver, agree to the EULA & download, then run the downloaded file.

Once you have done that, you will have a separate icon in devices&printers for that printer/driver combination."

https://forums.adobe.com/people/John+Ratard wrote

Unfortunately my Brother MFC-9340CDW laser printer does not have an RGB-CMYK converter in its software. In answer to the several definitions for bitmap depending on the user, I have been asked to clarify what I mean by bitmap in several replies. Since I do not know what Brother's definition is, I sent and email to Brother support for clarification. Without a definition, the reply appears to provide a solution that is printer specific and is as follows:

NOTE: Reading past the first short sentence, are instructions to install a "BR-Script driver" that I imagine provides the conversion for my printer to print a jpg file.

"With respect to what is meant by bitmap, I would use a jpg file format.

If this driver takes care of your needs, and you are happy with what comes out of the printer, then that fixes the problem.

Bitmap does have several definitions, but you were wise to get an answer from Brother.

This is the general computing definition: https://techterms.com/definition/bitmap

As for Photoshop, Bitmap mode defines 1 bit black/white Understanding Photoshop color modes which has nothing to do with your printer. You do not use it.

So hopefully that clears up your original concern. It should be eps to raster file, not bitmap.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

That's a third definition, commonly used (any collection of bits). However, you can't convert your images to that, because they already are that. My money is on Windows Bitmap format files (BMP files).

Derek Cross

Community Expert

I’ve had a look at the spec for this printer; it’s a bog standard CMYK color laser printer designed for printing office type documents (text and images) in color quickly. The best quality for printing photographs from this will be achieved by printing from an optimised JPG, or similar, in say sRGB color mode and at the printer’s highest resolution. But its quality of output can’t be improved that much and, as I said earlier, for photographic prints it won’t be comparable with an inkjet printer.

gener7

Community Expert

Downloadable manuals Manuals | MFC-9340CDW | United States | Brother

I own a Brother inkjet,but most printers do the RGB-CMYK conversion in the drivers. No need to do that yourself. The driver is sRGB aware

My suggestion is to get the sRGB jpeg and try a color printout.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

I looked up your printer. It’s a low end office laser. I would have no expectation of good photos, and it was reviewed as poor even for its class (for photo quality). Brother MFC-9340CDW First Looks - Review 2013 - PCMag UK

You may be on a wild goose chase.

Derek Cross

Community Expert

The OP has been told this several times, but doesn't appear to listen.

John RatardAuthor

Inspiring

I am listening and learning. I may not have the experience you do with the way Photoshop defines Bitmap but I am a professional engineer with IT training. As far as my IT experience is concerned, a bitmap could be a pattern of bits either compressed or not. Perhaps removing the capital B makes a difference. I am trying with an open mind to see if this laser printer can provide reasonable prints with some fine tuning using the Brother tools.

I know that general inkjets produce better color photo prints and even the definition of quality depends on the numbers of graded inks such as are used in expensive printers for professional reproductions. I believe there are also expensive professional laser printers that do the same. Having printed a photo from the MFC 9340-CDW, I accept this as a challenge. The quality may not be acceptable to all photographers but the result could be reasonable if I can fine tune the results. I can try with the very least a result that looks like a painting.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

I asked if you wanted a BMP file and you said “yes, a bitmap”., which unfortunately is not clear. The problem here is that bitmap means one of two quite different things, and people are answering perhaps the wrong question. So please answer exactly what you want.

John RatardAuthor

Inspiring

I apologise if I created this confusion that may have been avoided if someone had attempted to see how a Brother laser printer might print acceptable color photographs. There is information online dealing with other laser printers and color photographs. I will confirm my observations, then to determine what Brother means by bitmap, I will ask Brother support since I am dealing with a Brother computer program.

I will get back when I receive a reply.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

Well that narrows it down a bit because the kind of bitmap that we usually deal with is black and white ONLY. Photoshop’s bitmap mode is black, white and nothing else.

Derek Cross

Community Expert

The best way to print images to an inkjet printer to get the best result is to keep them in RGB color mode and let the laser or inkjet printer's software do the conversion to CMYK or CMYK plus (for inkjets with extra colours). If you have already converted them to CMYK there's no way back, you need to go back to the original photographs.

Bitmap can mean several things, do you want to convert your images to Greyscale (Image > Mode) or, if you really mean Bitmap, convert your images in Photoshop to Grayscale first. Make sure you do it on a duplicate copy of your image!

EPS is an obsolete format.

John RatardAuthor

Inspiring

Unfortunately Brother does not have an RGB to CMYK converter in its software. I confirmed this yesterday with Brother support.

It appears Brother had no intention to deal with color photographs and sticks to business documentation. I also learned a great deal about high quality professional printing using very expensive laser printers that maintain a consistent heat process. In addition, I was also advised that I should buy an inkjet printer to print photographs. I had done that.

Yes inkjets do a great job but at high cost for inks, especially if we want to print 8x10 photos. Color laser printers cost more to set up, but each print is much less expensive e.g. for a rough estimate in Canadian dollars, $175 for 4 good quality toners that last up to 2200 pages (info from Brother) for regular printing or up to 800 pages (info from a laser toner supplier) for 8x10 photo prints. Then 300 sheets semi-gloss laser paper @ $30, and if I choose 800 prints @ $175, each print @ $0.32 sounds pretty good. I also got the printer free from a friend who had toner problems so he simply bought a new one.

I am now left with further research on how I get a reasonable laser color photo print on my own to where I am now i.e. "Brother manual printing preferences color mode settings" where to adjust anything on a search for the color photo I wish to print, then select, I discovered I only have bitmap as a selection. This was not noted in the instructions from Brother support.