Expert: Huma Riaz - 3/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I have a postcard to make for a photographer.  It is going to be 2 spot color job.  I will be laying it out in Illustrator, but would like to know if there is a way to make the black in the photo a spot color using Photoshop.  Also, is there anything that I need to do to be able to convert it to Illustrator to preserve the spot color?

Thanks,
Shannon

ANSWER: It can be both ways, PS has the solution to make spot colors or black and white files, (see channels) that can be a bit tricky.  

Because Illustrator is vector software it is really easy to work with spot colors.


Huma Riaz
Location: Karachi-Pakistan




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok, so you know that it can be done, do you know HOW it is done??

Answer
For PS you have to select any channels for your work, lets say, your colors are Cyan and Magenta.

work in these two channels only. Save a preview of the file which has the color details, and save this master file by removing all the color details from black and yellow.

For the cyan and magenta, check if all the color are solid and coming out as you exactly want

If there're some areas having halftones you can make sure the selected channels has exactly the having the same percentage as you require (consult INFO 'F8')



Hope this will help.


Regards
Huma Riaz
LocationL Dubai-U.A.E