I cant select composite CMYK....

Question

Hey there, i have 3 questions.
1.  Most printers like their artwork delivered in CMKY. Does this mean in print settings i need to select Composite CMYK in output when printing? If so i cant select it because its greyed out. What would cause this?
2. My Indesign Print presets use to have options like 'press quality' and 'High quality' im sure of it, but they arnt there anymore...does anyone know why and how i can get them back. All i have is 'custom' and 'default'
3. Printers dont like to print 4 colours over the top ive been told and i can see why. Is there a quick way to convert the document to a setting wherby the colours look the same but the printer only prints the minimal amount of ink to get the same result..hope you understand what i mean....
cheers

Answer 1

You don’t have a PostScript printer selected for output. It’s not a problem, since the printer (person, not device) will select the appropriate output options when they print the job.
No, those were your export to PDF settings.
If you only need one, two, or three specific colours, like those used in a logo or simple illustration, then yes. You would use only spot colours, defined as such in InDesign and your Illustrator graphics. You can also use spot colours in Photoshop in the form on a multi-chanel file or a duotone. If, however, you need something printed in full colour like a photograph or complex illustration, then you will need to print using CMYK process.
You are wrong, however, that printers don’t like printing four colours (by which I assume you mean four colour process). More colours means more money, and printers like money. Also, process colour printing uses the most common ink colours and is often much easier than spot colour printing, which uses very specifically mixed ink. Process colour jobs are also easier for the designer (you) to set up.