>> Stephen, I'm using Photoshop CS. << OK, v5.x had a bug which delivered too high ink with RelCol transforms... So this is not the cause for your high ink values.
>> The black (background) in the headshots is mostly 100% black and then I just Image -> Mode -> CMYK with our own Standard EURO profile that we got from the guy that installed our scanner (colour management isn't what it should be) << The is the "culprit"...it is the profile by the sounds of things. So you have a "custom, personal, standard" euro profile...??? You don't have any luck with the Adobe v2 profiles or ECI profiles etc??? >> What exactly do you mean by saying "you need to know the grey balance"? << Every CMYK process (ink/paper + other variables) has a different grey balance - the mixture of CMY which creates a neutral grey! SWOP like conditions vary from highlight to shadow, this is not a linear response. *** So, it is pointless converting to CMYK expecting to get a neutral grey CMYK print - if the CMY+K ratio of inks is not grey balanced for the process in question. *** Try a Google search for grey balance.... http://www.naa.org/technews/tn980506/p27gray.htm >> The Cyan is indeed higher when converted, mainly visible in the lighter areas. << Yes, this sounds correct for most inks/stock etc. >> The values for a 99% black background convert to C=61M=47Y45K=99, I've tried the GCR, and it worked, I held everything over 300% but can I be sure that this will print correct? << What do you mean here??? How did you "try GCR"??? What have you done!!!??? The old legacy Custom CMYK of Photoshop where one can change GCR ratios is no the same as the newer proper ICC profiles - they are separating to different standards and do not deliver the same aimpoint/results by default as other profiles. *** So, it can be pointless converting a monotone image to CMYK, EVEN if you have correct grey balance - as the GCR ratio may not be high enough *** (see the recent posts by Ellie Kennard)... >> Wan't there be some sort of "artifacts" starting to appear, spots?... I dunno though,.. << I don't know what you mean here...it does not sound good though! Regards, Stephen Marsh. =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
