At 12:28 -0400 27/7/07, Kenneth C. Benson wrote: >I'm confused. What does it matter what the CMYK conversion is? PMS 164 is a >printer's ink mix and there's nothing you can do on your computer to change >that mix.
Thanks Kenneth... Quite. However, if you change the spec in FrameMaker to 'correct' the mix, it drops the ink name and you get 4-plate in the PDF [quite properly, by its rules]. If I keep the ink name and its corresponding naff CMYK definition, the roughs look ghastly because what should be one color is two: one 'Pantone 164' in FrameMaker and another in the illustrations. >If you're going to print a spot color, then you need a spot color plate. It's >nice if that plate has the right name on it, but it's not even necessary. You >can make a color and call it "Steve's Purple" and then tell the printer to use >PMS 164 for Steve's Purple. I appreciate that you are absolutely correct, in theory. However, in the real world, at least here with UK publishers, printing is often done in places like Croatia or China [two real examples]. Communication, particularly over technical issues, is often sub-optimal, and it is critical to get everything right before going to press. >If you're going to print process color, then use the CMYK mix that you like, >and forget about PMS 164. 4-plate not allowed: cost. PMS 164 is publisher's choice for spot color. >Or am I missing something? Are you printing 5-color? No, 2-color. -- Steve
