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Adobe Photoshop/Can I do color separations on photoshop elements 3?

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Expert: Scott Valentine - 4/11/2008


Question
I would like to make color separations for block printing and would like to know if I can do this with photoshop elements 3?

Answer
Hi Kat,

I don't think Photoshop Elements 3 can do true separations. However, this workaround should do the trick:

Use a Levels adjustment, and choose two of the three colors from the drop down box. Set both to zero, leaving the 3rd color intact. Save that image out (or print), then go back and do the same thing for the remaining two colors.

Be sure to work on a copy of your images so you don't accidentally throw away the color information.

I hope this helps!

-Scott

Adobe Photoshop

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Scott Valentine

Expertise

Author, "Real World Compositing with Photoshop CS4 (Peachpit)". Beginning to expert questions for Photoshop CS5 Extended, including 3D capabilities. I am also an expert here for Digital Photography. Please - NO questions on Lightroom, Elements, Express or versions earlier than CS4. These questions will be discarded.

Experience

Author, "Real World Compositing with Photoshop CS4" (available from Peachpit.com in January, 2009). I have been a professional level user since 1999, and have used Photoshop for photography, fine art, graphic design, web design, and technical image analysis. I have also conducted classes at the college level in both artistic and technical uses. I am currently an Adobe User Group manager.

Organizations
National Association of Photoshop Professionals, Los Alamos Multimedia Users Group.

Publications
CommunityMX.com, Real World Compositing with Photoshop CS4 (Adobe Press).

Education/Credentials
Bachelor's degree, Physics

Awards and Honors
Several awards for digital photography.

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