Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 6/26/2008

Question
WHY do embedded or linked grayscale files from PSD print separations as CMYK in Illustrator CS3 ?!??  It's driving me mad...I've tried various colour settings and even "filling" the grayscale images with 100%K and STILL I get CMYK plates at press time!! And, it's not consistent: some grayscale files DO print on only the K plate, and others don't...
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! if you can tell me the secret...

Answer
Hi Victoria,

The "trick" is to not import a native PSD grayscale file if you can help it. This may cause IL to convert it to keep the image looking consistent. Try importing a grayscale tif file and see if you still have an issue.

You should also be double checking this before you send it to plating to make sure things look ok. Try running proofs via the print window (output>user based separations).

Let me know if this doesnt work for your situation and I can suggest other methods a little more involved.


Thanks

Kevin