I've always designed using RGB, but the print manager at OM converts my pages to CMYK before printing. They print beautifully. He suggested that I design using CMYK for printing purposes. My daughter who is a graphic desinger concurred.

Does anyone consistantly design using CMYK? Is there a noticeable difference in your design technique? What about the finished print?

TIA!

I've wondered if I should b e doing the same thing? Will be interested int he responses too

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Anna


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The color space you use depends on the printing process. If you are printing at home on a standard ink jet printer, you should be using RGB. If your sending your work out to be printed, and the printer is using color separations, then you would want to design in CYMK to get the most consistent prints.

Tandika

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Good info - Thanks Tandika!

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Anna


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But what if you are unsure as to whether you are going to print at home or send it out? I'd like to create a 12 x 12 layout and print it at home, as well as send it out, to see which result I like better. Is this possible?

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Andy, most of the graphics programs allow you to switch color spaces. If you're not sure, use RGB. You can "convert" it if your sending it to a printer that does color separations and tweak it (if that's necessary) before you give it to them. Most of the places I know of don't use color separations. So RGB is relatively safe and if you decide to print it at home, you're ready to go.

If you're printing at home, using PSCS and an Epson printer, for example, and you're using the CYMK colorspace, your art will have to be converted by Epson's printer driver when you choose to print it (unless your doing your own color management ... which is a whole 'nuther can of worms.) I don't necessarily think that the home printers do a good translation job with this. They are expecting to get RGB data.

If you send the RGB file to a reputable printer (who told you that color space is ok), and they print using color separations, they will normally have profiles for their print equipment that are designed to do this kind of color conversion. So they will handle it for you.

There aren't THAT many printers that do color separations any more. Usually, this type of printing is more expensive for a small run.

Tandika

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I've always understood RGB to be for computer screen display (like website design) and CMYK is for print material (at home and professional)... your printer colours are Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and blacK... I design all my pages in CMYK, then if I am going to publish them on the web, they get converted to RGB...

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TeeQ, you're right, in as much RGB was first used to describe the way color is formed on your monitor. However, now days, Ink Jet printers use the same concept, mixing sprays of colors frome each of those colors of ink.

However, when you check most of the documentation for most of the printers ... IF ... they mention color handling, they'll tell you to send the file to the printer in RGB format.

Tandika

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