Expert: Glen Demers - 10/6/2009

Question
Hello,
I have a signature that was scanned in a tiff format. Right now it is a cobalt blue, but I need to match it to a specific pantone color (that will be brown) so it can be printed in a two-color letter (the letter is brown and green). I have tried "replace color" but dont have the option to choose a specific pantone color. What is the best way to change the color of the signature and to keep the clarity?

Thank you for your time!
Mandy

Answer
Hi Mandy,

To make the signature a specific Pantone color, go to Image>Mode>Grayscale and convert it to grayscale. If the resulting signature looks light then go to Image>Adjustments>Levels and move the left slider under Input Levels to the right until the signature is dark enough. There should be a tall spike in the histogram on the left side - move the slider just under the right side of the spike.

Next go to Image>Mode>Duotone.. and select Monotone. To the right of where it says Ink 1 there will be a box for Duotone Curves and then a color swatch, click on the color swatch to bring up the Select Ink color dialog box. Click on Color libraries and select your Pantone Book from the pop-up menu. You can type in the Pantone number or scroll to the color you want and click Okay and click Okay again to close Duotone options. You should now have a signature in your desired Pantone color.

Save it as a Photoshop EPS and accept the defaults in the EPS Options dialog box. It may look rough in your page layout program unless you have high-res previews, but it will print okay.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Adobe Certified Expert, Photoshop 7
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

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