Bacardi

I disagree with that workflow.

First because you cannot see CMYK on your monitor, and secondly for the same reasons as Floydski already mentioned: smaller gamut.

Working for print is done in Adobe RGB as it encompasses CMYK as good as completely. It offers the full set of options Photoshop has to offer. CMYK mode doesn't.

Then, when work is done, and the output is an offset printing press, you open your doc in a new window, and set this to the needed CMYK color space (for us here, usually Euroscale, coated). This version is then internally manipulated by Photoshop to show as accurately as POSSIBLE what the work will look like in CMYK. Eventually you can do your last tweaks here, and automatically, these are also done on the Adobe RGB version. And then you save as eps, or pdf.

Many printers prefer to set to CMYK themselves, as that way they have control over their way of working (spec. like dot gain, white and black etc)

And if Alistair is working for his desktop printer, then there is probably no need for conversion to CMYK at all as most deskjets need RGB and do the conversion in their own software.

RGB mode is not made for the web as it is much older that the Internet. It is the way monitors work, using light colours with Red, Green and Blue phosphors.

MisterMister

I disagree. RGB mode is strictly for the Web. All you have to do is type RGB in any search engine window and you'll find tons of pages telling you the same thing.

And I would not recommend converting from RGB to CMYK. If you're going to do a design for print, then start that file in CMYK mode, for as I said above.....

Finally, don't take my word or even Erik's ... search the Web for articles by professional designers and see what they have to say. Good places to start are:

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/

Check out webmonkey's Design center here:

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/design/graphics/

You can find even more sites like this using Google.

Bacardi

What does webmonkey say about working for offset printers? I did not find anything over there...

Check people like Gare (Gary Bouton, Inside Photoshop), Ben Wilmore,...people who know what they talk about when it comes to printing.
I've been working with offset printers several times for catalogues, postcards, posters,...Photoshop, Indesign, Preps,...and finally to a four head Heidelberg press.

And it is not that because RGB is used for the Internet that this also means it was created for it. It is only used for the Internet because the Internet is displayed on a monitor.

MisterMister

Ok, let me try saying this another way:

Since RGB was originally created for images displayed on the Web (and not for print), and since there is a night and day difference between Web graphics and images designed for print, it goes without saying then that one would not want to use one format for another if they wanted the best results.

And on the WebMonkey site there are lots of articles covering a wide range of design topics, if you look for them. Below is the addy of one article which discusses what we are talking about:

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/...html?tw=design

Bubble

C9 - i dont really want in on this debate, but i think the one error in your interpretation is (and the one Erik tried to point out):

created, no, utilised, yes... as mentioned before, RGB has been around alot longer than the web, so created, no

Rick

C9 I had a look at that article and the following is a direct quote:

You probably scanned the image in RGB mode and you're printing in CMYK mode, so you need to change the mode to CMYK. But before you change the mode, you should do any color correcting, pixel pushing, and tweaking here. The file will get bigger when you convert it to CMYK, so get most of your work done in RGB.

I'm not sure if reinforces Erik's position but it seems like it to me [confused] [confused]

MisterMister

Ok, this is getting out of hand. I didn't want to get into a debate at all. I was simply trying to offer advice from my own experience as a graphic designer.

There are plenty of sites out there with valuable information on the issue. My advice would be to check out the resources offered on the Web. That's how I learned. Don't just listen to one person (mod or not).

Mapetite

Personally, I always work in RGB and convert to CMYK. Smaller file size leads to faster production, less load times, etc. I believe it to be a personal preference. You can't see CMYK on your screen anyways, so you will always need to test it before print to make sure you are getting a somewhat accurate color. The only time I start off in a CMYK setting is if I intend to use 1 or 2 Pantone colors and break them apart into tints, but if I'm just going for a process print then I don't see the need.

I think getting defensive isn't proactiv to learning honestly. Not everyone will design the same way. I do agree that you should venture out for yourself and make your own decision. Every designers work flow is different.

MisterMister

Mapetite, I stand corrected. Good point. I also found this web page, which just taught me a couple new things or two .... you're never too old too learn.

http://www.jensm.com/photoshoptips/rgbVsCmyk.htm

retired_paddza

I work in L*a*b