Skip to main content
Naraton
Naraton
Participating Frequently
June 29, 2023
Answered

How force my images to be K:100%

  • June 29, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 4054 views

I have one Indesign document to print my manga. It's composed of 95% of images.
I already printed it and it was ok. Then, I changed print worker and problems started.


The blacks looked less deep, and my printer explain to me that was because the printer that he used didn't use CMJN black but only Black 100%.

I realized at this moment that all the black in my document was almost rich ( On my screen they were completely black, with the preference " Display black accurately") but not totally. My Black values are always: K:90%.

 

Since my document is composed of hundreds of images, it would be painful to edit each image to correct that.

 

Do you know one trick to force all my current black to be k:100%?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Peter Spier

@21363808  => Woops yes sorry, I didn't realised that I was writing sometimes CMJN instead of CMYK.
I think they use this printer :
https://icecat.co.uk/prefere/gb/p/hp/l1h71b/industrial+printing+presses-pagewide+web+press+t240+hd-38254175.html

You're right it's an HP!

@Peter Spier=> You're right, I'm gonna ask them the good color profile. 
I'm not totally sure to have understood what you said, but I'm wondering if that's why I have a big gap between My PDF sended and their Press prof pdf.
My black was K:90, but in the Press Proof quality it's worse : 73%.
Do you think that I should export my pdf to Greyscale to fix this ?

 




You definitely need to speak to the printers. If they are printing in black ink only the press proof actually looks pretty good to me. If they are printing four colors, I suspect the problem is in your choice of color profile and a lower ink limit on their press.

3 replies

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 29, 2023

since I will convert them to CMYK profile Fogra 39 at the .pdf export.

 

Hi @Naraton , With composite digital printing where the actual print space is unknown, usually it is better to deliver profiled RGB color and let the printer handle the final conversion to their print space.

 

From your other captures it looks like they are forcing a CMYK-to-CMYK conversion at output, which often creates color problems. If you Export to the default PDF/X-4 preset, your RGB blacks will export unchanged and the printer can make the conversion directly from your RGB space to their print space. The FOGRA 39 profile you are exporting to clearly is no the correct profile, and it’s just complicating the color management on the printer’s end.

 

    Naraton
    NaratonAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    June 30, 2023

    Oh, I thought that it was a noob move to send an RGB profile to a printer haha.
    Since they didn't send me any profile to use, I will know in the future that this is the right thing to do: Do not try to convert it and let the printer do what he thinks is the best.

    For the PDF/X-4 I never use it, I will do it for the next export!

    Many thanks for your help!! I hope so much that my black will looks a bit less faded at the end o/

    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Legend
    June 29, 2023

    As @Peter Spier already mentioned - you need to let us know if your linked images are RGB or CMYK?

     

    But I think you to could switch to Grayscale.

     

      Naraton
      NaratonAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      June 29, 2023

      My linked images are RGB!
      Do you advise me to manually swich all my images to greyscale on Photoshop to solve the problem?
      I would be amazing the the tool ID-Tasker make it possible to do it automatically.

      Robert at ID-Tasker
      Robert at ID-Tasker
      Legend
      June 29, 2023

      As it looks like you have no experience in CMYK / RGB conversation I wouldn't advice automatic conversion - it's possible but you would need to apply dedicated profile / filter to get best results - which can be done in bulk in Photoshop. 

       

      Of course you can try and see what you get. 

       

      Yes, ID-Tasker could do this for you in bulk - but like I've said, first you would need to specify profile / filter - and this simple task you can do in bare Photoshop. 

       

      And like @Peter Spier also mentioned - speak toy the place that will print your files for more info / guidance - it may be much easier / straightforward than you think - just assigning output profile and re-generating pdf.

       

        Peter Spier
        Community Expert
        Peter SpierCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 29, 2023

        Four-color black always tends to be darker than K=100. It's not clear to me if your images are RGB black, CMYK black or grayscale, and if there is other color in your document.

        You also don't say what the Appearance of Black settings are in the preferences for this document. When you output to an RGB print device or monchrome printer you should set the preference to output all blacks as rich black to avoid screening of 100%K. The print device outputs 100%K to represent the darker 4-color rich blacks.

        Naraton
        NaratonAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        June 29, 2023

        I'm a beginner at printing, so I'm not sure to fully understand :
        The images are in RGB profile ( 'cause it was intended to be publish on web first ), but even if I convert them on CMYK, the Eyedropper tool give me the same info for CMYK => C:75 ; M: 68 ; Y: 67 ; K:90.
        Plus, I though that the color profile of linked images didn't matter that much since I will convert them to CMYK profile Fogra 39 at the .pdf export.

        For the preference, On screen I have "Display All Black Accuretly" and for Printin/exporting I have " Output all Black as Rich Black which should be fine, right?

         

         

        Peter Spier
        Community Expert
        Peter SpierCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 29, 2023

        The output all blacks as rich black applies only to RGB devices (digital printers, that do internal conversions to CMYK) and black-only printers. It has no effect on CMYK output. Your convewrsion to FOGRA is to a profile intended for a printing press and the use of CMYK inks. 

        In printing it is possible by using multiple inks to get so-called rich blacks that are much darker than using black ink alone. RGB black (0,0,0) and it's CMYK converted equivalent is substantially darker than 100K, and requires the use of all 4 inks to get to be that dark.

        What is the output device?

         

          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
          Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices