Expert: Amy - 4/27/2004

Question
Dear Amy,

How can I keep an eps file in grayscale that is made in photoshop, keep in grayscale in illustrator?
So how can I keep the exact colorseperation in illustrator as intended in the saved eps file.

With kind regards,
Kasper

Answer
Hi Kasper,

I think I answered this in the last response.

This is all done in PhotoShop.  You shouldn't change the artwork's color content once in Illustrator, your results will be inaccurate.

Grayscale photoshop artwork: You must check in PhotoShop to see that it is in Grayscale mode. (Image>Mode>Grayscale.)

4-color artwork: Same as above, except Image>Mode>CMYK.

Duotones: Image>Mode>Duotone.

You cannot use RGB files in a document that's headed for the printer.  RGB files do not separate correctly.  Convert them to CMYK in PhotoShop before importing them into AI.  There is a filter>Color>Convert to CMYK function in AI that can be used on imported RGB artwork if you're in a rush, but the results will be less than accurate.

And finally.  Always, ALWAYS work in CMYK Document Color Mode in Illustrator. This is found in the File menu and should be the first thing to check when starting a new AI document!

Cheers
Amy