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Ron28525064lus1
Participant
March 15, 2023
Answered

Image mode for for simple black ink drawing

  • March 15, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 998 views

I am working with hand drawn cartoons that have been scanned and saved as PDFs. All cartoons are simple black line drawings--no grey tones. I need to do simple editing--erase spots and such. What image mode should I use--bitmap, greytone, CMYK. These cartoons will be ultimately printed in a book--not for the web.

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Correct answer Kevin Stohlmeyer

I would use Grayscale not bitmap even if they are black line drawings. The edges will be smoother and IMO give a better quality print.

2 replies

NB, colourmanagement
Community Expert
NB, colourmanagementCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 17, 2023

I'd normally consider using RGB, since Greyscale colour management is pretty limited, mind you - with black (solid) lines only, the advice from @Kevin Stohlmeyer seems good

 

I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement net - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right'
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

 

    R
    Ron28525064lus1Author
    Participant
    March 17, 2023

    Thanks, Neil. So RGB could be used even though this project is for print.

    NB, colourmanagement
    Community Expert
    NB, colourmanagementCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 28, 2023

    Yes, if the printer will accept RGB, Greyscale is a nightmare outside of Photoshop 

     

    If the printer requires CMYK then first ask them which CMYK ICC profile to use - 

    Next - in Photoshop you can convert images to Black Ink using the CMYK profile.

    That way you know they will be treated correctly.

     

    In Photoshop Color Settings > Working Gray:

    click ‘Load Gray’ and find the CMYK profile you want, e.g. 'ISOcoatedV2'

    It will then be available as a grayscale profile that you can convert to.

    eg “Black Ink - ISOcoatedV2”

     

    I hope this helps
    neil barstow, colourmanagement net - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right'
    google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Community Expert
    Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 15, 2023

    I would use Grayscale not bitmap even if they are black line drawings. The edges will be smoother and IMO give a better quality print.

    R
    Ron28525064lus1Author
    Participant
    March 15, 2023
    Thanks. Sounds good.
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