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A
Apple_Custard_Studios
Participant
January 2, 2012
Question

Adjustment layers not working in CMYK MODE?

  • January 2, 2012
  • 4 replies
  • 50379 views

Hi Guys

I have a photoshop issue and was wondering if you could shed any light on the matter?

When ever i set my document to CMYK mode, some of my adjustment layers become 'un-selectable'  such as the Black & White, vibrance and the exposure adjustment layers?   

They work fine in RGB mode but was curious if this was common place?

Any information woould be greatful

    4 replies

    M
    Melodic_connoisseur5EE0
    Participant
    July 1, 2024

    Hello, I was having the same issue and found that adding the adjustment layer while the image is RGB, then converting to CMYK once you're happy with it, results in the adjustment layer applying to the image but you're able to save the image as CMYK. Hope this help!

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 1, 2024

    Converting the RGB pixel content and the Adjustment Layer/s to a Smart Object before converting to the intended target CMYK Space will result in larger files but it maintains the editability of the RGB Adjustment/s. 

     

    Why do you want to edit images in CMYK? 

     

      J
      Juliet_Hunt
      Participant
      May 23, 2021

      I had this same issue, and found this forum, the given advice didn't help much in my case, but what I found that did help is color grading in the "chanel mixer" adjustment layer.

       

      I'm editing portraits for print, using gel lighting, my web copies are awesome, print copies gave me trouble, editing in CMYK just to make sure that what I'm editing is an acurate image. 

       

      This is the closest adjustment to exposure you can get in CMYK since exposure is diabled. Just color correct more in "hue & saturation" if this changes your colors too much. 

       

        davescm
        Community Expert
        davescmCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        May 23, 2021

        @Juliet_Hunt How did you pick your CMYK space? Unless you have been given a specific CMYK profile to use by your printer (i.e. the guy who runs your press) then you are making a mistake. There is no generic CMYK. You should not be converting to CMYK until you know exactly which CMYK profile will be used at the print stage.

        If your prints will be output on an inkjet printer either at home on in a printing shop, then stay in RGB. The conversion from RGB to the CMYK+other inks (for example mine uses C,M,Y,K,LK,LLK,LC,LM,O,G) will be done by the inkjets print driver which is expecting RGB input. By working in a CMYK space prior to that I would be restricting my use of the additional ink colours.

         

        Dave

          c.pfaffenbichler
          Community Expert
          c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          January 2, 2012

          Another thing:

          »The separate Photoshop Windows and Macintosh forums will become Read Only on Tuesday, January 3rd.«

          So don’t be surprised if this thread should lock up on you tomorrow.

          c.pfaffenbichler
          Community Expert
          c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          January 2, 2012

          Indeed not all adjustments are available in modes other than RGB.

          Have you read »Correcting colors in CMYK and RGB« in the Help yet?

          Working in CMYK should be a very deliberate decision – why do you want to work on CMYK images?

          A
          Apple_Custard_StudiosAuthor
          Participant
          January 2, 2012

          No i have not read the »Correcting colors in CMYK and RGB« how do i go about finding that particular thread?  

          I am working in cmyk as the poster i am producing is for print, so the document is put into that mode for that purpose. 

          I am aware that some of the adjustments woyl not work in all different modes but surely the black and white one does? or am i wrong there?

          c.pfaffenbichler
          Community Expert
          c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          January 2, 2012

          but surely the black and white one does? or am i wrong there?

          It would seem you are.

          You can still use Hue/Saturation as a work-around.

          how do i go about finding that particular thread? 

          That’s no thread but a headline in the Help; personally I prefer to download the pdf:

          http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/index.html

          I am working in cmyk as the poster i am producing is for print, so the document is put into that mode for that purpose.

          If you are using/combining photographic images this approach may not be ideal and incurs the risk of overshooting the TAC.

          On the other hand if you have lots of text, fine lines or other elements that are supposed to, for example, print in pure black working in CMYK would be called for.

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