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My RGB wont CMYK - Conversion Methods

Aug 2, 2012 12:39 PM

I designed something in RGB about a year ago. I know that the gamut for CMYK is more narrow and that once printed some of the richness comes back. However, the switch in modes from RGB to CMYK is quite drastic.

 

Is there a better way to convert the colors than just switching modes?

 

BTW, the purple will be foil.

 

RGB.png

 

CMYK.png

 
Replies
  • Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 2, 2012 1:21 PM   in reply to Preditor Corbett

    Foil what?

     

    Foil paper?

     

    Ink over Foil?

     

    Have you done drawdowns?

     

    Ink on Foil can be difficult - like having to print white under the color you want.

     

    You can always ask for a profile of the output, but that is a long shot.

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 2, 2012 1:36 PM   in reply to Preditor Corbett

    Drawdowns are an old school termomology for doing acutal hard copy testing or proofing on the final material.

     

    Since they are going to match the foil visually, I would just give them an RGB file and print out and not convert the file to CMYK.

     

    Leave the color matching up to them.

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 2, 2012 3:46 PM   in reply to Preditor Corbett

    I have done jobs like this before.

     

    For your particular job, you would create a single layered GS file.

    Your Layer contains only the part of your image which will be printed in ink.

     

    Then create a Spot Color Channel.

    For on-screen viewing purposes ONLY, choose a purple which is visually close to your chosen available Foil-color; and set  Solidity to 100%.

     

    Paste a copy of the design which is to be foil-stamped into the Spot Color Channel and remove any Layer which might contain that design. The design should be a 100% solid black- shape on a white background.

     

    Save As a Photoshop PDF (with "Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities" turned OFF).

    Choose Press Quality and "No Color Conversion".

     

    Check the Inks etc. in Acrobat Pro and then send the PDF to your Printing Company.

     

    They will use the Spot Ink plate to make a diecut for stamping with the foil (which can be any color that you choose from their sample book).

     

    It is correct that the foil parts can not be uv coated or overlayed in any way.

    If you want the ink-layer to be varnished or aqueous-coated, specify that and have it done in-line on the press BEFORE the Foil-stamping process is done.

     

    Hope that this helps

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 2, 2012 10:28 PM   in reply to Preditor Corbett

    Forget your Photoshop Effects Bevel or any sort of texturing.

    The bevel won't work because Foil is just solid metalized plastic sheeting — a single color with no shading possible — (unless you tried to print another layer of ink over the foil which I  think would be totally impossible!).

     

    Heavy embossing in addition to foil-stamping could be used to provide a 3-D scuptured bevelled finish — but at considerable extra cost.

     

    Ask your printer to send you samples of the foils which are available to him.

    You may find that both matte and glossy versions are available in a few colours and there may be darker and lighter hues for a few of them too. but the range is fairly limited.

     

    But if the text is now going to be white after all, why would you even go to the considerable extra expense of using foil-stamping in the first place?

    You could use a pattern gloss varnish over just the type instead.

     

    UV-coating is another issue altogether and your job will almost certainly have to be sent to a different specialist company for that part of the work. More expense!

     

    The unit-cost per card could become astronomical with the amount of complexity that you are adding.

     

    Seriously, work out your Specs. for stock, inks, finishing processes and get several quotes because this job is not going to be cheap!

     

    Or just stick with the one-color ink plus glossy Foil as you originally intended — and print on a top quality heavy stock. The cards will be fine and the price will be reasonable.

     

    I ran a Google search for "Metallized foil for stamping & embossing" and found this example of  available colours:

    http://www.infinityfoils.com/store/results_new.cfm?gid=28

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 3, 2012 9:38 AM   in reply to CameraAnn

    Just an FYI -

     

    You can do what is called a high build - which is very common in the wine label printing industry  - on foil.  It gives a raised texture to the foil if desired.

     
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