RGB or CMYK in print?

[meddington]

I believe that the PDF/X-1a spec disallows any ICC profiles from being attached to a file.

PDF x-1a does allow for the output intent (ICC profile) to be embedded within the PDF, but I think your saying that it doesn't allow for individual elements to be tagged, is that right? X-1a files with embedded profiles pass preflight in Acrobat with no errors.

[dleather]

dleather wrote:

Just curious, but what (Mac) raw converter are you using that imports
settings via a PLIST file? Adobe products usually use .xmp, so I am
presuming that you use another converter?

Our prepress vendor wrote the program they use. They won't tell me much about it since it's "proprietary", but the gist is that they develop using whichever 8 bits of the full 12 bit raw file that they chose, so each image has the darkest darks and the brightest whites, and the most vivid colors available to them.

[gordo]

[SNIP]
Would this not address Sannysmith's original questions of:

Hope makes sense as I really have no idea how print publication works. The photographs would go in various print magazines,brochures, etc.

1) Since I am new to the world of print publication I wanted to know if a RGB at 300dpi or CMYK at 300dpi photograph is advisable.

2) Also when giving instructions to a professional photographer what all should I mention that I need a high res tiff file. Is that the best format to use for print?
[SNIP]

To be blunt about it - NO. A profile or PDF format or RGB/CMYK mode choice is not the way to make up for a lack of knowledge/education ("I really have no idea how print publication works.")

If the OP wants to call himself and market himself as a designer then IMHO he has a professional obligation to himself and to his customers to learn his trade first.

best, gordon p

[Stephen Marsh]

Our prepress vendor wrote the program they use. They won't tell me much about it since it's "proprietary", but the gist is that they develop using whichever 8 bits of the full 12 bit raw file that they chose, so each image has the darkest darks and the brightest whites, and the most vivid colors available to them.

A custom raw converter...

Do they market this to the public (website?) - or is this an "in-house solution"?


Stephen Marsh

[gordo]

There was some interest in seeing how different prepress folks would handle an incoming RAW image file.
I thought I'd start with an artsy image after all. Later I'll provide a commercial one.

The background, this image is destined for a tourism web site promoting this rugged beach. It needs to be 1000 pixels wide and in sRGB color space. The original RAW image is 13mb and can be downloaded by clicking on this link:

http://rcpt.yousendit.com/806507006/...f6808db9154f75

It will be available for download for 7 days.

If you send me your finished image as a .jpg at highest quality setting it should weigh in at about 1.2mb.
I'll then post all the finished images in one post to this forum for comparison.

Enjoy! gordon p

[Lukas Engqvist]

Sorry I stirred things up and then got on with my work, I just meant that the test would be difficult to get an objective answer judging conversions from RAW to CMYK when limiting to the web. Looking at CMYK we would be judging simulations.

I am still confused that there is so much x-3 talk, I thought PDFx-4 was the only real alternative to PDFx1a. PDFx-3 would need to be no transparent objects ever policy and that leads you up a dead end street imho.

For OP, I would say if you don't know what device and substrate you are outputting to how can you make it into CMYK? An ICC tagged RGB photo is best. If the photographer is experienced he can deal with the commonly out of print gamut colours, else you would like to leave it untouched till a prepress knowlageble person with a calibrated monitor can adapt it to the output intent (eg Euroscale Coated v2, at an appropriate Total Ink Limit). Talk to your print supplier and if you have a chance let them show you how they work. Let the person who you will hold responsible call the shots.

[gordo]

Sorry I stirred things up and then got on with my work, I just meant that the test would be difficult to get an objective answer judging conversions from RAW to CMYK when limiting to the web. Looking at CMYK we would be judging simulations.

I thought I'd start with the web only because that would show how prepress would process/interpret the RAW image. For the second image, which I'm working on now, I'll be asking for both web and CMYK from RAW.

best, gordon p

[CruzinCooler]

Most print shops will require a CMYK tif or eps file for commercial/publication print work without an ICC profile. Also they will need to produce a proof of that file for any future color corrections. Their proof should reflect the press it will be printing on and their prepress dept. will have an ICC in the RIP reflecting the press to be printed on.

[Stephen Marsh]

If you send me your finished image as a .jpg at highest quality setting it should weigh in at about 1.2mb.
I'll then post all the finished images in one post to this forum for comparison.

Enjoy! gordon p

Thanks Gordo, I will send you something tonight or tomorrow morning.

It will be interesting to see all the different takes on this image!

Do you wish a description of the edits, or will the picture speak for itself?


Stephen Marsh

[gordo]

Thanks Gordo, I will send you something tonight or tomorrow morning.
It will be interesting to see all the different takes on this image!
Do you wish a description of the edits, or will the picture speak for itself?

Stephen Marsh

Nope, let the picture speak for itself.

best gordon p