Workflow critique needed
Workflow critique needed
- Subject: Workflow critique needed
- From: Keith Kavanaugh <email@hidden>
- Date: Sat, 03 Feb 2001 03:57:56 -0600
- Organization: BauWau Design
I apologize for the very long question. I'm a freelance designerspecializing in
audio/video packaging. Mostly four color and short runs. I have a fairly closed
workflow and my situation is considerably simpler than most of what I read in this
list.
I've read much of the color management stuff at Apple's site, Adobe's site, ICC's
site, the ColorBlind site and QualityImaging site and still am not quite grasping some
of the concepts as they relate to my situation nor am I able to print anything close
to an accurate proof on my Epson.
Basically, I need someone to critique my workflow either on the list or directly by
email, and
point out where I'm going wrong. I'm on the verge of disabling ColorSync and returning
to a PhotoShop 4 type of workflow.
My system:
Power Computing PowerTower Pro 225, OS 9.04 (recently upgraded from OS 8.5)
ColorSync 3.0 settings:
Profiles for devices:
Input: generic scanner profile
Display: Custom monitor profile (OptiCal and XRite DTP92)
Output: US Web Coated SWOP v2
Proofer: Epson StylusColor 800 GlossyPaper 1440 (not sure where I got this)
Default profiles for Docs:
RGB: Adobe98
CMYK: US Web coated SWOP v2
Gray: Generic Gray
Lab: Adobe PS CIELAB
CMM: Automatic (also tried Apple CMM)
Photoshop 6 (just upgraded from 4 which is when problems started)
Color settings: ColorSync Workflow (tried the PS default for SWOP also)
Quark 3.32
EfiColor disabled.
Acrobat 4 (for emailing proofs)
Using default Distiller setting ScreenOptimized with minor alterations:
Color settings:
Convert Everything for Color Management
Assumed Profiles:
Gray: Adobe Gray - 20% dot gain
RGB: Adobe98
CMYK: US Web Coated SWOP v2
However, "Allow Postscipt file to override job options" is checked in Distiller and
when I
print to file in Quark, in the LaserWriter print dialog under "Color Matching" I use
these
settings:
Print Color: ColorSync Color Matching
Intent: Auto Selection
Printer Profile: Use ColorSync Output Profile (US Web Coated SWOP)
Page Setup in Quark is set up for Distiller.
Epson StylusColor 800 (for final proof before film)
Tried it with and without ColorSync in advanced settings.
Here's a typical job for me (with settings that seem most obvious to me, although I've
tried
numerous combinations without any better results):
1) Scan and create art in PS6 and save as layered PSD files with Adobe98 as
embedded working space profile. Save an additional flattened RGB TIF file also with
Adobe98 embedded.
2) Import the TIF into Quark, add text, etc. (the imported RGB images don't display
quite
as accurately with PS6 files as they did with PS4 - I assume because of PS4's use of
the
monitor profile as the RGB space. I've noticed it's closer in Quark if I use my
monitor profile instead of Adobe98 as the default RGB profile in the ColorSync
settings - and therefore in PS6.)
3) Create PDF with Acrobat from Quark file to email client. (The PDF color seems
closer to
the PS6 display than to the Quark display). Not sure what my clients are seeing. How
can I insure my client sees what I'm seeing?
4) Print Quark file to Epson at 1440 dpi on glossy paper. I've used a variety of
settings with
and without ColorSync in advanced settings and nothing is even close. I used to get
good results with PS4/Quark. This is the major problem in my workflow. I've tried
printing
the images straight from PS6 and get the same awful results. I thought it might be my
ink so I created boxes of pure C, M, Y, K and CMY in Quark and it printed fine. Did
the same thing
in PS6 and was back to the bad results - severe color tint and kind of washed out.
5) Convert PS6 files to CMYK using US Web coated SWOP v2 which is embedded. Update the
image in Quark which now displays considerably different but that's nothing new with
Quark in my experience.
6) Send to my service bureau. We had consistent results when I used PS4. I've only
sent one
job since upgrading to PS6 and, surprisingly, it ran fine (may have gotten lucky). I
don't know that he's even using advanced color management so I don't know if his
system reads the embedded profile or ignores it. He prints it to a postscript file and
runs it on an Agfa imagesetter.
7) Export Quark file to EPS, open in PS6 and make JPG for website portfolio. Using
GoLive 5 with ColorSync activated. Any suggestions on how to handle profiles when I do
this?
So that's my situation. Any help is greatly appreciated.
--
Keith Kavanaugh
email@hidden
BauWau Design
Creative Services for Creative People