Converting PNG files to Indexed Mode in Photoshop

[fashiongirl]

Hello Community,

I recently purchased some art work which included an allover multi color floral repeat pattern (was originally hand painted) but sent to me as a PNG file. I would like to know if this PNG file can be converted to Indexed Mode in photoshop so that I can actually recolor the print to different colorways. In the past I used to buy European artwork that they would send to me in a file that was already set up so that I can easily recolor them via indexed mode in photoshop however not sure if PNG files work the same way. I am working with Adobe Suite CS3 on a Windows 10 PC.

Thanks much!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

One can convert an RGB image to Indexed Colour, but that may not be all you need with regard to number and distribution of colors etc.

Maybe you can post screenshots to clarify and explain what the ultimate use is intended to be (textile printing maybe?).

[fashiongirl]

The above is a file of a multi color print that I purchased from a website that sells graphics/artwork. This was originally hand painted and I was only able to download it as a PNG file. The end use would be for textile printing. I would like to be able to recolor this print in a few different colorways (see examples below of other prints I have recolored in the past). Can this be accomplished with a PNG file? Thank you.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

The image’s original file format is pretty much irrelevant.

Is it a regular 8bit RGB image?

How many colors of you want to print?

Your screenshots don’t seem particularly useful as they do not seem to convey relevant information and lack to display pertinent Panels.

The multicolor images seem to have gradients in some colors, are they multi-channel images with Spot Channels?

[fashiongirl]

Hello,

I believe it is a regular 8 bit RGB Image. The File Format I received is a High-res 300dpi PNG file. Yes the multi color image has gradients (color shading/variations) throughout. In order to maintain the integrity of the print I feel I would need to narrow it down to at least 28-32 colors. That is all I know about this print. Regarding your query about "multi -channel images with spot channels" I'm afraid you have lost me there. In addition the "lack to display pertinent panels" again not clear what it is you are asking to see. I'm sorry I can't be of more help to your queries. I'll just play around with it and try to figure it out. Thanks for your help in any event, appreciate it.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

In the images of existing print patterns there were 12 color fields at the bottom which I assume means they were printed with 12 colors.

So from a preprint point reducing the colors in your Indexed Color Table to ~30 would not be good enough.

Instead there would have to be 12 Spot Colors.

And so far Photoshop can handle Spot Colors only as Spot Channels.

But each Channel can have pixels of varying brightness, so gradients and modulation within each Channel is possible.

But this also leads to the question of trapping.

Who handles that so far?

[G_Hoffmann]

In my opinion the whole discussion is almost nonsensical without

knowing the textile printing process:

Textile printing - Wikipedia

For instance: light versions of an ink color are represented in GIF

by different swatches (colors). Light versions of an ink are printed

by rasterization. "Arbitrary" colors can be simulated by few inks

using dithering. Most impressive: tenthousands of colors by just

four inks: CMYK.

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

[fashiongirl]

Hello,

Thanks for the feedback. I am not a technical print expert, I am on the creative end and usually pass recolored artwork (that us usually limited to 12 colors) to a professional print studio who formats the artwork ready for factory production. I have taken note of your feedback however. Thanks!

Best Wishes!

[fashiongirl]

Yes generally prints I worked with in the past were limited to 12 colors (they were generally prints that did not have so many gradients). I am not a printing expert. I am on the creative end and generally pass recolored artwork to a professional print studio who in turn formats the artwork as per our needs and ready for factory production. Not exactly sure how to reduce a print with so many color variations to 12 colors in indexed mode without loosing the integrity of the print. I may have to leave this to the print studio. If you could provide a link that explains how to do this would be appreciated. Otherwise appreciate the time. Thanks!