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Question

Problem for achieving rich blacks with images (photos) for printing delivery

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
December 2, 2019
3 replies
2533 views

Hi,
I have a hard time trying to figure out how to deliver a PDF file created with Indesign that has rich blacks (instead of gray ones) for printing.

Here's what I need to deliver to the printer :

- PDF file in CMYK with U.S. Web coated (SWOP) v.2 profile

- Rich blacks values must be C: 40, M: 30, Y: 30, K: 100

Here's my workflow, where the problem might be :

A) Photoshop

1- Imported black and white TIFF image in Photoshop

2- Ajustements to the image (contrast, levels) while in Grayscale mode

3- Converted and flatten layers to CMYK in photoshop

4- Saving PSD file with the U.S. Web coated (SWOP) v.2 profile

B) Indesign

1- Created a new document in Indesign

2- Imported the PDF file in the newly created document

3- Edited the page layout

4- Exported as PDF (Optimal Output preset, without compression)

C) Acrobat Reader Pro

1- Reading black levels in Output Preview at C : 75%, M : 68%, Y : 67%, K : 90%

I'm new to Indesign and the world of printing.

I'm looking for a workflow that will provide a file with rich black values, as specified at the beginning.

The ideal solution for me would be to make a single ajustment in Indesign or in the Export to PDF phase instead of going back to Photoshop.

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.

rob day

Community Expert

1- Reading black levels in Output Preview at C : 75%, M : 68%, Y : 67%, K : 90%

When you convert a Grayscale image to CMYK in Photoshop the destintion CMYK profile determines the black point’s CMYK mix, so the 75|68|67|90 mix you are getting is correct for the SWOP profile (it limits Black to 90% and compensares with extra CMY).

Not all profiles limit the Black plate—GRACol Coated 2013 allows 99%. The rich black you are looking for (40|30|30|100) wouldn’t normally happen on a conversion to a coated CMYK profile, because a coated profile would typically allow 300-350% total ink (40|30|30|100 is 200%).

So you can leave the images as flattened grayscales and save as .PSD Photoshop Format. When you place a grayscale .PSD the grayscale gets assigned the [Black] swatch and will be output on the black plate—100% gray would output unchanged.

If you want to add CMY under the gray values, you can build a 40|30|30|10 rich black swatch and apply it to the image when it is selected:

The Black plate hidden

F

FLAM1Author

Participant

Hi Rob,

Thanks a lot for the answer.

I seems to do the trick for the blacks. I do now get the correct values when reading in Acrobat Reader.

Although, adding a "true black" swatch in Idesign does provide me with the black values I'm looking for, my entire images now looks darker, which is not my goal.

What I'd like to do is get the right black value, but preserve the same luminosity and levels in the highlights as my original Greyscale image (as I adjusted it in Photoshop). Is there a way to apply a gradient swatch to achieve this? Or any other solution?

Thanks again!

rob day

Community Expert

What I'd like to do is get the right black value, but preserve the same luminosity and levels in the highlights as my original Greyscale image (as I adjusted it in Photoshop). Is there a way to apply a gradient swatch to achieve this? Or any other solution?

The grayscale preview in Photoshop depends on the the Gray profile you have assigned to the document. Are you using the default 20% Dot Gain, and if so how do you know it is the correct profile for the press?

It would be expected that the image would go somewhat darker when you work in grayscale, and then add the extra CMY ink in ID.

Derek Cross

Community Expert

Place your native PSD images in RGB color mode in InDesign

Add text in CMY black (not rich black) and output your document as a PDF/X-4 (unless your printer gives you a different spec). Select single pages (not spreads) and tick Crop Marks and Use Document Bleed Settings.

Single black (K) is the most readable colour for reading.

rob day

Community Expert

Place your native PSD images in RGB color mode in InDesign

If the output intent is SWOP, that would produce the same 75|68|67|90 black point percentage in the images at output.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

1. What CMYK profile do you select when you export the PDF (what colour management settings, all of them)?

2. What CMYK profile do you select in Acrobat Pro when checking the colours?

3. What version of each app used?

4. Why would you turn off compression? This just wastes space. At least use ZIP.

F

FLAM1Author

Participant

1. In the Output menu for the PDF file in Indesign, I chose :

- Convert to destination (preserve numbers)

- CMYK U.S. Web coated (SWOP) v.2

- Do not include profile

2. In acrobat, I selected U.S. Web coated (SWOP) v.2 when checking the colors

3. Photoshop CS5, Indesign CC 2020, Acrobat Reader Pro 9

4. I wanted maximum quality, but I'm glad to know that I can use ZIP instead.

I must add that when I select Proof Color in Indesign, I already see that my blacks are greyish.

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