RGB to CMYK (For Print)

How can i convert the RGB Color poroperly convert to CMYK.
I have a color RGB - R-0, G-5, B-55, how can i get the CMYK color for the same.
Please help

DOn't bither with CMYK for any form if " home printing". Their printers don't work any different from your own inkjet and exoect images to directly come from digital cameras etc. And are calibrated accordingly. Otherwise you have a lot of reading to do on color management, color calibration, gamut etc.
Mylenium

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Converting RGB to CMYK for printing.

So I went in to the Apple Store yesterday and told the guy that I'd like to design my own DVD cover for a presentation reel. I was about to spring for the teacher's edition of Photoshop, but he convinced me to buy the cheaper one with a Bamboo tablet...which was the same price as buying the program but included the tablet.
Hours later after designing my DVD cover, I find out that elements doesn't use CMYK mode. Ridiculous! This is my first time doing something like this so I wasn't entirely sure how to proceed... I thought.. oh well maybe I just switch modes later and I'm good. I guess this program was designed for less intense designers that print from a desktop at home, but I had other plans from the start. Anyways, what would you do? Here are my questions:
Should I take back the program/tablet and exchange it for one with CMYK capabilities? If I do this, will the document that I've used in elements be able to work in CMYK mode so I can send it to a printer? ...or do I make a really good print to a desktop printer and then just duplicate those for my cover?
Thanks for the help.

I came across a great web site where you can perform free RGB to CMYK conversions on your image files (up to 5mb). They offer a choice of numerous CMYK profiles. For U.S. commercial offset printing of your DVD cover, I'd recommend choosing GRACoL2006_Coated1v2.icc
http://www.rgb2cmyk.org/

Converting RGB to CMYK for print causes darkening and loss of detail on page.

I work in CS5 to create illustrations in a very broad range of colors. I use filters and adjustment layers to achieve the desired effects, so my images feature gradients and high contrast design. I usually would work only for the web, so I never had a need to convert my images into a CMYK workspace. I have started making prints of some of my work, and I have noticed that I am losing not only detail, but vibrancy as well. A lot of the darker areas are smudging together, and some of the areas with light contrasted against dark look less intelligible than when I created it on screen.
My first attempt at printing was at a Staples, which could be part of the problem. I had TIFF and JPEG files saved as CMYK. The TIFF files looked awful, but the JPEG had slightly more clarity in the print. One of my TIFF files displayed on the Staples computer as being completely stretched out and grayscale, though it looked fine on my own device.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I am attempting to learn all that I can about this subject. Thanks!

DOn't bither with CMYK for any form if " home printing". Their printers don't work any different from your own inkjet and exoect images to directly come from digital cameras etc. And are calibrated accordingly. Otherwise you have a lot of reading to do on color management, color calibration, gamut etc.
Mylenium

Converting Images to CMYK for Print Publication

When in my workflow should I be converting images to CMYK for print publication?
Currently, I shoot RAW photographs with my DSLR in Adobe RGB, import the images into Photoshop for manipulation and then convert the final, sized image to CMYK before placing it in my Indesign document. Before going to print, I convert my files to PDF using the [PDF/X-1a:2001] preset. I use a calibrated system with a profile set for my monitor.
Since many of my pictures have shades of green, I'm often disappointed with the conversion to CMYK because I lose saturation and brightness. Am I doing anything wrong? Is there a better way of preserving the quality of colour in my images when going to a commercial printer?

To see in InDesign what color shifts will occur, use View=>Proof Colors.
I would also recommend View=>Overprint Preview.
Yes there are color shifts when converting RGB to CMYK, but those are due to the fact that the gamut of CMYK is significantly less than AdobeRGB or even sRGB. The same color shifts going to CMYK will occur whether you convert the image in Photoshop or in InDesign during PDF export or at the RIP.
Keeping the color in ICC color managed RGB has the advantage that last minute changes can be made as to what CMYK printing conditions are used, i.e. all CMYK is not the same. Furthermore, if you convert RGB to CMYK early in the workflow, you lose the ability to maintain the color gamut for display of the PDF as well as for printing to high fidelity color devices, i.e., offset or digital (especially inkjet) devices that have extra colorants such as light cyan, light magenta, orange, and/or green to dramatically expand the gamut. Once you lose the gamut in your imagery via conversion to CMYK, you can't go back.
- Dov

RGB Logo uses Overlay transparency... need in CMYK for print but color changes in overlay

I am working with a logo someone else created in RGB using the Overlay transparency. When I convert it to CMYK just one area seems to "change color".
I tried inserting both versions here - but it isn't working too well. Basically, in the image below the outline of the "scales" appears darker in the CMYK version for printing. Any ideas on how I can adjust it to print in the same vibrant color the RGB is showing?

fill in info RGB is light (like on your screen) and adds more light when mixed, CMYK are pigments and adds more color or multiplies, when mixed

Need CMYK for printer... but msg "document is using CMYK blend space..." concerning

Hello all,
I need to create an output PDF that is CMYK for the printer.
I thought I was doing everything correctly until I got this message that was generated when I selected Export (to PDF), "The document is using CMYK space. Colors are converted to RGB in interactive PDF files. To avoid color changes, click Cancel and choose Document RGB from the Edit > Transparency Blend Space menu. Click OK to continue."
So, I think this means that the PDF export is being saved in an RGB color space. Is that a correct interpretation? If so, how do I preserve the CMYK color space because that is what the commercial printer requires? Is that even possible or relevant?
Thank you

You are a lifesaver!
I was wondering what that "interactive PDF" thing was all about. I didn't release that it was simply an Export As... error. I must have inadvertently selected it at some point.
Thanks a million!

When (if ever) to convert to CMYK for printing?

Hi, I've been doing a ton of Googling and forum searching for an answer to this question, but all of the answers I've been reading are very different and I have no idea which to follow. Essentially, I'm using PS and creating a 10'x10' backdrop for a trade show booth and am trying to figure out if I should start in RGB and convert to CMYK, or stay in RGB and let the printer convert to CMYK. The final deliverable will be in PDF format.
Generally the two answers I've found online have been:
1) If you're making something for print ALWAYS create the document in CMYK color before beginning, or convert to CMYK.
2) NEVER work in CMYK, but instead work in RGB and then let the printer convert to CMYK at the end of the process.
A third answer that has come up less often as been:
1) Create all photos, gradients, etc. in Photoshop. Do all vectors in Illustrator. Bring them together in InDesign and export PDF from there.
I'm sure on some level the answer to the question is situational, but the two primary answers people seem to give are complete opposites and I could use some guidance as to when to follow which one, or if one is a common misconception.

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to that yet. I've been trying to get all of the more detailed information from the printer, but they have been really slow with the responses despite them needing the design sometime tomorrow (the process was starter over a week ago ) and they have no further detail on their website regarding document setup.
So from the sounds of it, assuming it's using an inkjet process it would probably remain in RGB, and if it's an offset process begin in CMYK?
Also, the design is utilizing several adjustment layers in Photoshop and some of the layers have varying opacities, will those be affected by whatever the final printing method is?
Thanks for you help. I don't have a lot of print experience as you can tell.

I have to save as CMYK for print, but the colours are out of whack..

hey all,
I am designing something for a CD cover that is going to be printed at a print shop, They say they want their images in CMYK and prefer it in a PDF or highest quality JPEG....
So I have been working in CMYK, everything looks fine in photoshop, but when I save out to a JPG the whole thing gets dark and colours get horribly over saturated.
here you can see the image on the left is what happens when I save out directly from my CMYK file in photoshop. there is a big loss in detail in the darker areas and colours are over saturated. the image on the right is what I get if I convert to mode>RGB and then save the JPG. .. . .this is what I want it to look like....
my problem is the print shop requests the image in CMYK, but I want them to print like it looks in the RGB version
any help would be greatfully appreciated! Thankyou!
also here are the actual .jpegs as saved from photoshop
the CMYK version:
and the RGB version:
edit: I don't know too much about colour profiles, and the print shop hasn't provided one on their site, so I picked the default one - Working CMYK, U.S WebCoated (SWOP v2)
edit: these are the file formats the printers say they take on their site:
PDF - 300 dpi - (preferred), Tiff, Highest resolution JPG, EPS
I don't really have any experience with the other formats but I presume I would get the same colour results

Thanks all for the replies.
Just to be clear the file is already in CMYK (U.S web coated SWOPv2), I understand now its probably smarter to work in RGB and then convert at the end but hadn't done so in this case.
If I change image mode to RGB (or vice versa) i notice a tiny shift in the colours on my monitor but nothing as dramatic as what im seeing in those CMYK Jpeg/TIFF's.
John Danek -
there are probably more than 20 layers in there, my colour settings should all be default because ive never even looked in there before, but here is a screenshot of the dialogue box
and the bit depth is 8-bits per channel
If I save it out as a CMYK .pdf then it looks fine, presumably because im opening it in Adobe acrobat reader so it can see the embedded profile. So I think this is the problem after all, thanks Chris Cox and gator soup for clearing that up!
I have emailed the printers and asked if they can read my embedded profiles correctly with their software (presumably they can) and asked for them to recommend an ICC colour profile but have yet to hear back from them.

HELP! Convert JPG to CMYK for print on Epson Stylus Pro 4880 problems

Hello all!
I need to print a JPG file to an Epson Stylus Pro 4880 printer and keep the original colors. The JPG file is of a company logo containging text/graphic. I use CS5 to convert the file to CMYK and save it as an Adobe PDF. When I print it everything looks good but there is a reddish outline around everything. Anyone have an idea how I can get rid of the outline? I am using the US Coated (SWOP) v2 for the CMYK scheme.
Help! I need to print out some logo tags for the customer.
Thanks in advance, Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

wish I could help but I am Mac and Essentials is not in my work flow!

Texture filter in Rgb mode to cmyk - safe for print job?

I want to apply the texture filter to a photo for a print job but the texture filter only works in rgb. Can the rgb file be SAFELY converted to cmyk for print?

In what way do you think a conversion from RGB to CMYK after the application of the filter will not be safe? What do you expect to go wrong?
...or if you have tried it, what has gone wrong?

I want to create a document in Illustrator that i can use for Print and Web - using 2 different colourspaces.

Is it possible to do this? I need to create a document so that I can export as a high quality CMYK for print and export the same file as RGB jpeg / pdf for web and email use. Do I have to create the document with 2 different colourspaces, or can I change / convert the colourspace after I have created and finished the document? or is there some simple way to select an RGB / CMYK option when saving/exporting?
look forward to your reply!
Tom

Tom,
In addition to what Monika said, the document can be either CMYK or RGB Colr Mode, but not both.
And you are right in starting with the CMYK because that will ensure (to the degree possible) that the CMYK and RGB versions match in colour (gamut, the CMYK gamut being the more linited and almost entirely included in the RGB gamut); this will prevent more vivid RGB colours which will make the CMYK colours seem duller.

Convert RGB to CMYK in AI

Hi, my printing house said I sent him a RGB file and he needs CMYK for printing.
(1) How can I know the original file is RBG color mode?
(2) How to convert RGB ai file to CMYK ai file?
Thanks a lot!!!

lhcheng,
1) File>Document Color Mode.
2) Tick CMYK instead of RGB.
You should be aware that the RGB and CMYK colours are fundamentally different, so most likely you will have to create at least some colours anew, and you will have to accept certain inevitable changes.
Many RGB colours will be changed to rather muddy and messy CMYK colours, as you can see in the Color palette when selecting CMYK.
And many bright colours will become less so.

How to select matching RGB and CMYK colors

Starting from scratch for a client, how do I select matching RGB and CMYK pairs?
Say we find a nice red colour in RGB for screen use, how do I then find the correct CMYK for print? And what assumptions do I have to make when doing this, if any?
Would it be the same for the other way around (choose CMYK first for print and then find the RGB equivalent)
Is it more sensible to start with a Pantone colour and then find the RGB and CMYK equivalents for that?
Many thanks
RobbieG
(I'm working with Ai, Ps and Id CS6)

Yes. Better to start with Pantone reference books where you are viewing the color in a reflective environment. As already mentioned, color on the monitor can be deceptive. And, I think the others are basiclt saying that you should have everything calibrated and use color management policies in your apps. There is a way to find CMYK equivalents using Photoshop's color palette. Let's say you have an RGB Red as the foreground color in Photoshop. If you double click on the swatch you will get Photoshop's color palette which lists the RGB percentages, CMYK percentages, LAB percentages, and HEX web color for that Red. You can go further and select "Custom" and the Pasntone Spot color palette opens and gives you the closest Spot color value for that Red. This however, depends on your color settings. That's why I recommend you start with the Pantone swatch book and get the perecentages of CMYK from their formula guide which is set to industry standard color.

Color turns Grayscale when converted from RGB to CMYK?!

I have a complex pattern, that looks brilliant with a color layer. However, it was originally created RGB.
I converted the color to CMYK for print, and all the color disappears! Not that the layer is deleted, but the color layer appears Grayscale. The only area where color shows up are in the pieces that are at 50% transparency (see purple diamond). I have all my color areas set to CMYK including the color pallet.
The color will show if I set the layer to multiply, but it doesn't look the same way as it does when its in RGB mode.
I've never come across this before, any help would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

If I do this, it turns it into an image and it loses its clipping path?

What is the best high res image file format to use for print

Dear All,
I'm working on a 300 + page catalog, and I was wondering what would be the best image format to use on the catalog. I thought png was the best since it supports background transparency and all, but for some reason I'm not able to export it once I change the image to CMYK ( since I need CMYK for print ). Should I save all in eps. instead? Please help would be appreciated.
thanks,
Jack

.psd is the best... supports everything you would want for print. PDF does also, but takes a little more knowledge to use properly.
.png is recommended when using Word etc.
EPS is obsolete.

RGB to CMYK (For Print)

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