Expert: Amy - 6/15/2006

Question
Hello i have a question about the different colourmodes in illustrator & photoshop. I use a windows PC and have ill 10 and ps 7.

When i'm working in illustrator and I need a deep black I cant really do this in CMYK coulourmode without using the CMY sliders to make the black 'more black'.
But when I export my image to photoshop and put it in grayscale mode I can turn up the contrast and make the black really black while I'm still working in grayscale mode.

How is this possible? or am I just stupid and is there another way to make dark black?

The reason I ask this is because I'm making a poster for something and we want to keep costs low and print it in monocolour.

grtz from belgium!
lander

Answer
Hi Lander from BE.

I think your only problem may be the Proof Colors and Display in Illustrator. What you're describing is that the blacks don't *look* black enough on your monitor, correct?

Here is a good way to pick the right Proof Color Space for your working environment.

First, make sure you are working in CMYK Color Mode.

Then create a rectangle and fill it with a 100% black to 0% black gradient. Then create another shape and fill it with 100% black and position it so that you can easily compare it with the gray shades in the gradient-filled object.

Next, go to View and make sure Overprint Preview and Proof Colors are turned on.

Then go to View > Proof Setup > Custom and choose a profile.

The profiles that are meant to emulate accurate grayscale imaging are Dot Gain 10%, 20%, etc, down to Gray Gamma 2.2. Switch back and forth between those and decide which gives you the blackest black. When designing for newspapers, I use Dot Gain 20% - it is most accurate for the particular newspapers I work with here.

Now try the US Sheetfed Uncoated. I also think this produces nice dark blacks and you will probably like this one, although it is not really accurate if you are designing ads for newspapers. Keep in mind that this method may give you a nice working environment but if you are designing this job for print, make sure that the colors look right in the Proof Space that best fits the printing mechanism (coated, uncoated, web, sheetfed, etc.).

You might also note what happens to the gradient smoothness with each setting. Some are better than others and this may be important to you.

If you still cannot get a dark black, you may want to check your monitor brightness, too.


-Amy Verhelst