HELP HELP HELP! Converting to CMYK for printing biz stuff

[HotHolly]

OK, Im getting flustered. This post may not need the anger carried around by that little evil emoticon. hee hee. But they dont have a flustered one.

I am getting ready to run off some brochures. I was going to try 4over this time. I usually use Vista Print.

Anyway, I am having issues with my CMYK conversions. Everything is very pink and blotchy - especially skin. What's happening? How do I fix it?

The original images were RGB. I can deal with the color shift, but I dont want acne looking skin and green tinged hair. HELP!

[Jake]

There will always be some color shift, you will just have to tweak it after the conversion.
Or maybe let 4over do the conversion. Do they have any recommended profiles?
If they are half decent they are probably using some kind of GRACoL/SWOP press standards. Are they requesting you send the files CMYK?

[HotHolly]

yes they are. the CMYK conversion looked ok on the laptop, but when i checked it on another computer, there was a lot of red spots on skin. i tried to see if they color correct, b/c that should fix the problem too...and it doesnt say. i cant seem to order a paper proof to check it. I'd thought I could have paid for the proof or ordered a small run to check them. They dont seem to do small runs. Any other ideas?

[Jake]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

yes they are. the CMYK conversion looked ok on the laptop, but when i checked it on another computer, there was a lot of red spots on skin. i tried to see if they color correct, b/c that should fix the problem too...and it doesnt say. i cant seem to order a paper proof to check it. I'd thought I could have paid for the proof or ordered a small run to check them. They dont seem to do small runs. Any other ideas?

Use a better print shop
If they don't offer paper proofs then they are lame. It sounds like this place wants print ready files and just care about high volume. I'm betting they just gang all the customers jobs on a large press sheet, in which case the best you can do is tweak it after your conversion and hope for the best. Or maybe you can soft proof it at your end using their profiles. Maybe.

I just checked their web site and see that they specialize in speedy printing. The front page saids this:
"Our processing system is fully automated to help process orders faster and more accurately, in turn giving you quicker turnarounds and delivery."

Doesn't sound like much quality control going on there. And after reading their FAQ it doesn't sound like they even have a pre-press department.
I'm not saying they don't do good work, but I doubt to many add agencies use them.


Edit: So anyway, I would just convert and re-work the file.

[chris1999]

having worked in a printing company for awhile, Ive noticed it depends a lot on which program is being used to do the CMYK conversion. Unfortunately, skintone is often a victim of conversions. Like with RGB images, checking that the magenta isnt blowing out on the skin would be a good starting point.. but other than that, any decent place should either provide you a proof or accept that it looks like crap and redo it.

very few places color correct unless you ask/pay for it. by doing that on their own/for free, they put responsibility on themselves rather than just saying 'this is the file you gave me'

[HotHolly]

thanks guys. i sent the files out. they sent back a pdf proof. it looks good. i was told 4 over is better than vistaprint, so im trying them. i'll let you know what happens.

[HotHolly]

brochures showed up... 4over.com was really fast. They sent a psd proof. The colors look pretty good. Oddly the brown has a tinge of green, but the skin tones are really good. Cant complain. B/t the turn around time and the price, Im honestly surprised about the quality. And they are all folded!!! I hate folding brochures. I happy with them. Just passing it on!

[chris1999]

accurate skin tone with cymk is often going to result in greener 'other things' but, sounds like a good experience