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Question

How to export jpeg from InDesign with 100% black?

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
November 3, 2017
4 replies
3736 views

Seems crazy to me, but I have a print house that is requesting a "jpeg file, 100% black at 1200 ppi." (It is to be used with a foil stamping machine for a linen book cover.) When I export the InDesign file (black text only) to jpeg, the eyedropper shows a rich black CMYK mix (not 100% black) whether I export to grey or CMYK. My InDesign settings are CMYK, using the black swatch (100% K 0% CMY) with "output blacks accurately." Is there any way to make it not convert the black to rich black when exporting to jpeg? (And why would it really matter for a foil stamping machine, when it's not actually going to be printing anything?)

100% black jpeg

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barbara_a7746676

Community Expert

Exporting with the settings below, using Gray instead of CMYK seems to result in less jpg artifacts. Maximum quality is important.

barbara_a7746676

Community Expert

When exporting from InDesign to JPG, this is what worked the best --

Your text, of course, should be 100% K (no CMY).

In Preferences, change appearance and exporting to Accurately.

Using these settings in the Export dialog box:

That resulted in text that is 100% black. However, there were some JPG artifacts in the white area surrounding the text that are 1% K. Don't know if you can see them in the screen capture below.

If your vendor can accept PNG instead of JPG, you can eliminate the JPG artifacts.

rob day

Community Expert

But why export to CMYK? Set the Color Space to Gray:

If you export to Gray it will be impossible for there to be CMY in the (grayscale) jpeg and the Black Preference will have no affect—either way the 100% [Black] swatch will map to 100% gray.

Of course it is a mystery why the printer would want JPEG—PDF with the art as vectors would be much better. I always send PDF for binding stamps.

alisona68897270Author

Known Participant

I'm not sure why he wanted a jpeg either; every printer I've ever worked with has requested PDFs. Unfortunately I can't ask them directly because I have to communicate through a print broker who won't tell me who the printer is... Thanks for your help.

rob day

Community Expert

the eyedropper shows a rich black CMYK mix (not 100% black) whether I export to grey or CMYK.

By eyedropper do you mean you are reading from Photoshop's Info panel? Set your Export Color Space to Gray not CMYK, and make sure your PS Info is set to Actual Color (not CMYK)

alisona68897270Author

Known Participant

Yes, this is where the K is showing only 91%.

Derek Cross

Community Expert

Actually it is (being foil blocking) being printed using the letterpress (relief) printing process and your supplier is asking for high resolution artwork so they can produce a line block, that is usually made of copper, zinc or magnesium.

They are asking for 1200PPI as it’s a single “colour” to avoid ant-aliasing which might produce jaggies on curved edges.

You can export the artwork from InDesign as a JPG and select the resolution in the Export JPG dialogue box. (or produce it in Photoshop where you can select 100% Y and 0% CMY).

L

Laubender

Community Expert

Hi Derek,

I would recommend the PhotoShop way to produce the JPEG:

1. Export to PDF with InDesign.

2. Open the PDF with 1200 ppi without antializing in PhotoShop as Grayscale

3. Convert to Bitmap*, convert back to Grayscale and

4. Export as JPEG.

*To make sure that 100% Black is finally 100% Black.

Regards,
Uwe

rob day

Community Expert

Uwe, I'm not sure it has to be that complex. The JPEG export lets me export to 1200ppi Gray and the default [Black] swatch converts to 100% grayscale on the export.

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