export to png reverts to rgb

[kdwpilgrim1]

I have a png file with transparency for use in a printed document. The color must be a pantone spot color, but Illustrator and Photoshop keep saving it as RGB. I have unchecked the box to "convert to sRGB". Is there another way to create a file with transparency other than png?

[Stephen Marsh]

You should use PSD or PDF to retain a true spot color channel and or transparency.

Although some programs like MS Power Point can "composite" a transparent PNG image, the format is not designed with print in mind, it is a display/monitor format image.

[davescm]

PSD and TIFF both support transparency

Dave

[kdwpilgrim1]

Thanks! I finally understood the distinction. However... the graphic image I am using in the document has a pantone color, but when I import as a psd to the InDesign doc, the separation in the document shows cmyk not the pantone color....

[Lumigraphics]

Is the Pantone in a spot color channel?

Channels palette->New Spot Channel and pick the Pantone color you need. Export as a PDF if you have vector artwork in the image.

Your printer or service bureau should give you guidance on how to prep the file so it separates properly (assuming offset printing.) A file for a digital press works differently, you can't use Pantone colors.

[Stephen Marsh]

I would respectfully disagree that you can't use Pantone or other spot colours in a digital print job, the RIP/DFE driving the toner or inkjet based device has a colour lookup table to perform spot colour matching which produces a closer match than dumbing down a spot colour to CMYK. Of course the file has to be setup correctly and so does the entire workflow and RIP etc. One still has to work within the limitations of the print device and many spots may still be out of gamut, however, the printer's native space may be larger than a standard offset CMYK space.

[Lumigraphics]

You can use them but its not a guaranteed match like you would get with a can of Pantone ink. Color matching is a black art sometimes 🙂

[Derek Cross]

What is the end use of the image – commercial printing or screen (or both)?

[kdwpilgrim1]

It will be printed and bound in a booklet.

[kdwpilgrim1]

Hi All, I still need help with this. This image (see above) has to have a spot color (pantone) for the printer. and it must have a transparent background. I am using it as a psd file in an InDesign document. But Photoshop saves it as a CMYK and not as a spot color. HELP! I am not well versed in Illustrator, but should I be using it instead? I really need an answer this week.

The booklet being created in InDesign will be printed and bound.

[Derek Cross]

Why does it have to be a Pantone spot colour – this colour would look fine in CMYK.

In any case it dosn't matter what it looks like on screen as a Pantone spot colour comes out of a tin already mixed as the particular colour. What is the PMS colour?

You should Place your graphic as a native PSD file in InDesign in RGB color mode and add your text there.

Check with your printer but normally you'd export the InDesign document as a PDF/X-4, as single pages (not spreads), with crop marks ticked and Use Document Bleed Settings also ticked,

[kdwpilgrim1]

Because the document is in black and white with one spot color used in some text (which works fine) and this one graphic, which doesn't). They print it differently if there is CMYK because they assume the entire document is CMYK not just the specific colors. You don't use RGB color mode in offset printing.

[Test Screen Name]

If you believe you must not use RGB for print (not everyone would agree with you), then don’t use PNG. PNG is made for web use and is absolutely, by design, RGB only. 

[Derek Cross]

It's difficult trying to help you when the infomation is dribbled out.

So you have one PMS spot and black. 

By the way, can I emphasise for others following this thread you alway should have your (full clour) images in RGB color mode when you place them in InDesign as the conversion then can be selected for the correct CMYK color mode for the substrate and process, i.e. the CMYK for sheet fed printing on coated stock is different to say to the CMYK printing on a web on newsprint. 

[kdwpilgrim1]

Okay... here goes. We have a black/white document. We are using Pantone color 711C in some of the headings and insets, and in thumb tab blocks on the edges. We can set these items' colors within InDesign as spot color/Pantone. The Problem:  Our logo image is supposed to be Pantone color 711C also, but it is an image file being placed in the document. Because of the way it is placed it must have transparent background. I am using Photoshop PSD file to ensure the transparency and I set the color in Photoshop as the Pantone 711C, but the file mode allows only CMYK, not spot color (well, RGB also, but that is not usable in this case). So when the file is imported into InDesign it comes in as CMYK instead of spot color/Pantone.

The printer is providing special pricing for just one spot color. If we have any CMYK they must consider the entire document to be CMYK (even if it is all K, no CMY).

I sure hope this is clear, because I am not sure of the correct terminology.

[Lumigraphics]

This document will only have two plates so it does not need to be CMYK. Both are spot color channels, one black and one 711C. Really it doesn't even matter as long as it separates out, the color comes from a can.

Create an RGB file. Add a spot color channel in the channels palette. Delete all the RGB channels, leaving only the spot channel. Create your graphic on that channel. Save. See if that works.

[Derek Cross]

With some colours, particularly bright oranges and bright greens, the difference between PMS spots and CMYK is huge, but in the case of your client's red the difference is imperceptible between PMS 711 and C12 M97 Y91 K3.

I suggest you get a price for both ways of printing this job – you may find that, because of the way printing machines ares set up nowdays – that printing the job CMYK is cheaper than spot and black.

And, as I explained in an earlier post, Place your Image as a native PSD file in RGB color mode in InDesign.

Maybe you should also explain to your client that it would be best to keep to CMYK for reproducing their logo as spot colours will not be available in many printing situations, such a magazine advertisments and much digital printing.