10 Pre-Press Tips For Perfect Print Publishing

[gordo]

Here's a sample-image I just processed (before and after) with Binuscan CMS Server: http://www.magnussandstrom.se/download/ink_opt.zip

Some additional info about those images...
CMY ink reduction is 18.67%
Black ink increase is 9.34%

best, gordo

[Stephen Marsh]

Hope this works as an educational exercise Stephen!

Thanks Magnus, I will get back to you when I have a chance to inspect the file.

Much appreciated!


Regards,

Stephen Marsh

[mattbeals]

Some additional info about those images...
CMY ink reduction is 18.67%
Black ink increase is 9.34%

best, gordo

Gordon, what did you use to calculate the savings?

[Stephen Marsh]

Not sure what Gordo uses...

I used a free application from TGLC, PerfX Image Ink - screenshot attached.


Stephen Marsh

[mattbeals]

You have a download link for it, or a Windows version?

[Stephen Marsh]

You have a download link for it, or a Windows version?

The TGLC website appears to be having "issues"...

Matt, send me a PM with your email and I'll hook you up if I can (in half a day or so)!


Stephen Marsh

[mattbeals]

Yeah, I'll mention it to them when they're back in the office in the morning.

[Magnus]

Some additional info about those images...
CMY ink reduction is 18.67%
Black ink increase is 9.34%

best, gordo

Strange how all threads about colormanagement nowadays ends up with everyone talking about ink-save products (sorry @threadstarter)

Thanks Gordo for adding additional data to my sample. The results vary alot depending of what in- and output profiles you set up and what artwork you process. But the #1 reason that we are using this kind of software is not to save ink-costs but to reach the quality and consistency in print that we are aiming for. Because of the use of more black we get faster start-ups and more stable grey balance and less smearing of course.

It would be interesting if someone who got an other ink-save sulution can do the same test with the same image! GMG, CGS, Alwan, etc?

[Lukas Engqvist]

The reason one getts into InkSave is because it the InkSave products are automating CMYK CMYK conversions. I do not find it strange. Had RGB workflows been adapted by the prepress comunity the InkSave products would have been to some extent redundant. What I find more surprising is that people are ready to accept InkSave work flows but not RGB workflow. It is a shame because the advantage of the RGB workflow is so much more than TIC/TAC control (and with a good separation profile even out of gamut colours can be handled somewhat inteligently)

[Gregg]

I just gave the article a quick read. Does anyone else take issue to the place PSD recommendation? I'm a strong believe in only placing layered PSDs when you absolutely have to (i.e. you need the transparent background). I have all of my designers save flattened TIFs of their layered PSDs, and that is what they place in their final page layouts.

I was just a panelist at a file preparation seminar and I stressed to the audience why you shouldn't place layered PSD files just because you can. Perfect example, a recent jacket file I worked on had a layered PSD that was 760mb, compared to the 106mb flattened version. Why bother placing that beast into the file.

One of the top reasons I have for working in CMYK is being able to use the black channel to create masks. Often times I need to merge artwork with new backgrounds etc., and using a dupe of that black channel is always a great starting point for creating a realistic looking edge. (At least for the type of artwork I am working with).