Expert: Elmer - 9/21/2010

Question
QUESTION: Well hi again and thanks for replying!
I create the cmyk logo in corel, export it as pdf, in preview everything looks ok!  
I import the cmyk pdf(logo) to corel, then design the card and export it as tiff. But the colors of my logo in the card are darker in preview. I din't send it for printing. Why the colors are darker when i preview my cmyk tiff card than when i preview my cmyk pdf logo. Thanks again!

ANSWER: Hi there and thanks for clarifying the issue you are having.

How about we simply skip exporting and importing back into corel. Since your creating both elements in corel you may as well just continue to finish the entire project. My suggestions are as follows:

1. PDF For Prepress____________________________________________

a. once the logo is complete, group it and finish the card then publish the finished project, card and all, as a PDF.

b. In the PDF style (under file type) select PDF for Prepress.

c. Click on settings to customise options

d. Click on the Prepress tab across the top

e. tick/untick the bleed limit and set to your preferred measurement.

f. tick/untick printers marks as desired then click ok

g. save file to desired destination folder

This will give you a print ready PDF for prepress file that contains all information required to print. Please note that you must resize your page to the specific output size required. If its not on the page it will not be published.

2. Tif For Prepress_____________________________________________

a. Complete the logo, then complete the card and export as tif.

b. In the sort type select the vector option unless it is predominantly bitmap images.

c. In the next window change colour mode to cmyk

d. select anti-aliasing to reduce harsh edged around pixels

e. click ok and save

This will give you your Tif file.

I hope that this helps you complete your project and resolves any future issues you may have.

Cheers,

Elmer



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

QUESTION: Hi again! Well thanks for the instractions they were very helpfull! But I've just realised that everything I design in cmyk (in any programm) when I export it as tiff the colors are different. For example , I draw a red circle in a cmyk document, exported as tiff and the color is  very different than the red I choose. This is not happening if I design in rgb document. I am  very comfused, is the problem in my monitor? And why when I export it as pdf everything looks ok, same colors in preview and after printing. Thanks again!

ANSWER: Hi again,
This appears to be a colour management issue. I believe that it could be one of three issues affecting your project.

1. Although you may be working in cmyk mode, you may still be working with a rgb colour pallette. Hover over the top of your colour palette. It should be set to default cmyk pallette. If it does then that is fine. If it is not then click on windows, colour palettes and select "Default CMYK Palette"

2. The way your screen presents the colours may be configured better. Click on tools, colour management, ensure that the colour mode for effects is set to cmyk and that the arrows from Generic Internal RGB Profile go to printer and go from printer to monitor.

Turn off any other arrows. This should set your monitor to reproduce the colours your printer will create.

If creating colour seperations, turn off all arrows and go from RGB Profile to offset seperations to monitor.

3. Ensure that you are viewing with "calibrate colours" turned on (above enhanced view and wireframe button bottom left bar). If this is not on it is still previewing in RGB. Having this option on will apply the colour management options.

In conclusion, this could be one or several of these issues. I hope that at least it assists you to fix this recurring problem.

Cheers,

Elmer

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

QUESTION: Hi again! Well I did the first step, the palette was to rgb so I've changed it to cmyk! But nothing seems to changed. Well as for the second and third step, in the second I found the colour management and changed the color mode for effects to cmyk, but I can't find any arrows, I use corel x5(please find the attached image so you can see all the properties)
As for step 3, I can't find "calibrate collours".
Thanks again for your help!

Answer
Hi,

Color Management is a very tricky thing to get it right. In most cases, an image when converted from RGB to CMYK (in CMYK color mode) will have to go through some color shift. The obvious reason being, not all colors in RGB color space are available in CMYK color space.

If you are using CorelDRAW X5 for prepress (which I presume from your post), color management engine is the best thing to happen in X5.

If you are using Adobe files (PSDs, AIs etc) in Draw, or even JPGs, TIFFs that were saved from Adobe applications, I would suggest you download Adobe Color Engie and use it as your color engine; Personally I get best results in print with it.

Link to Adobe Color Engine: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=3618

You can use the settings as shown in attachment. These are the settings I use and I get pretty accurate prepress print results.

I would also suggest you enable "Proof Colors" check box under Tools - Color Proof Settings docker.

If you have box version, you must be having Guide Book. It covers a very good chapter on Color Management by David Milisock (Chapter 16). If you have downloded X5, you can access guide book in PDF format from within CorelDRAW X5 under Help menu.

Hope this helps,

Elmer