Shadows and CMYK

[kriz10]

It seem like when I print to CMYK TIF my shadows look washed out.

When I export as a bitmap or jpeg and then convert to CMYK in Photoshop my shadows look great but then the color is a little off.

Does anyone have some suggestions about the CMYK export and shadows?

[kriz10]

It seem like when I print to CMYK TIF my shadows look washed out.

When I export as a bitmap or jpeg and then convert to CMYK in Photoshop my shadows look great but then the color is a little off.

Does anyone have some suggestions about the CMYK export and shadows?

[raynerj]

hi Lightrayz,

The shadows are not created using a cmyk (0/0/0/255) black or a shade thereof. It is created using a rgb black (Translates to cmyk 255/255/255/255) or shade thereof. So... it is best not to use the shadow tool if you want to send the artwork to a print shop. Create the shadow yourself using a cmyk shade of black.

Gary covered this very thing in this months workbook.

[gwpriester]

Not sure if I covered the fact that CMYK is expressed in % and not 0-255 though :-)

And not to nit pick, but RGB 255, 255, 255 is white. RGB 0, 0, 0 is black.

If you are working in a CMYK page (there are a few CMYK templates you can download on the Xara Xone Shareware page, convert your shadowed object to editable shapes (Arrange menu) then apply the CMYK values.

It is always a good idea to include a small percentage of CMY in your black, for example CMYK 15, 15, 15, 100. This produces a richer black when printed as it adds depth to the color (or absence of color in the case of black)

Gary

[raynerj]

Thanks for the corrections Gary! I guess I had a brain fart there.

[kriz10]

Thank you Gary .. that worked great =)