I need to make images in CMYK for printing

[Ropke95]

I have made some images in RGB color space but the company where it will be printed works only with CMYK. Now my question is, how can I make images in CMYK in the correct colors? When I convert images from RGB to CMYK the results are not acceptable, the colors are changed too much. How can this be prevented?

[rich2005]

Quote:When I convert images from RGB to CMYK the results are not acceptable, the colors are changed too much. How can this be prevented?

The short answer is: you can't It is about the different colour gamut (the complete range or scope of something).

What you see in the real world is different to what you see on a RGB monitor & Gimp, and is different again to what will be printed using CMYK.

   

In particular, blue, green and all bright vibrant colors cannot be printed. If you need a design that is only going to be printed then do not use Gimp. Start and finish in CMYK mode and for freeware there is Krita.

[Ropke95]

(08-17-2018, 03:52 PM)rich2005 Wrote:

Quote:When I convert images from RGB to CMYK the results are not acceptable, the colors are changed too much. How can this be prevented?

The short answer is: you can't It is about the different colour gamut (the complete range or scope of something).

What you see in the real world is different to what you see on a RGB monitor & Gimp, and is different again to what will be printed using CMYK.



In particular, blue, green and all bright vibrant colors cannot be printed. If you need a design that is only going to be printed then do not use Gimp. Start and finish in CMYK mode and for freeware there is Krita.

Okay thanks for the information. I have found a printer that prints RGB. Now I just want to know how to make crop marks in GIMP on a design for the printer.

[rich2005]

(08-20-2018, 10:11 PM)Ropke95 Wrote: I have found a printer that prints RGB. Now I just want to know how to make crop marks in GIMP on a design for the printer.

If the printer accepts a PDF Gimp printing options has a tick box for 'Draw Crop marks. Print to a PDF. Many designers use Scribus to set up a page for printing, it has more options than Gimp, crop, bleed, registration marks.

A comparison of Gimp and Scribus crop marks (PDF). https://i.imgur.com/NW1j2X3.jpg

You need to ask the printer their requirements, it might depend on the size of your image, a biz card not the same as a poster.

What you might do in Gimp.

1. Make a template, say, 10 mm extra all round.
Example A 300 x 300 mm image make a canvas 320 x 320 mm (with suitable ppi setting) https://i.imgur.com/8B5c7hG.jpg

2. Set up some guides to define a) the image area (300 x 300) b) the bleed area - usually 3mm extra on all sides. A rectangular selection set to a size and then Image -> Guides -> Guides from Selection works. https://i.imgur.com/UCV4S9Y.jpg

3. Then just paint in the crop marks in each corner following the guides. https://i.imgur.com/WoBKI3p.jpg

4. Import the image to cover the bleed area, turn off the guides: https://i.imgur.com/4eBNp8g.jpg

5. Export the image in whatever format the printer requires, tiff, jpeg...Ask the printer.

6. If your image has a white border then you will not need a bleed area...Ask the printer.

[Ropke95]

(08-21-2018, 10:01 AM)rich2005 Wrote:

(08-20-2018, 10:11 PM)Ropke95 Wrote: I have found a printer that prints RGB. Now I just want to know how to make crop marks in GIMP on a design for the printer.

If the printer accepts a PDF Gimp printing options has a tick box for 'Draw Crop marks. Print to a PDF.  Many designers use Scribus to set up a page for printing, it has more options than Gimp, crop, bleed, registration marks.

A comparison of Gimp and Scribus crop marks (PDF). https://i.imgur.com/NW1j2X3.jpg

You need to ask the printer their requirements, it might depend on the size of your image, a biz card not the same as a poster.

What you might do in Gimp.

1. Make a template, say, 10 mm extra all round.
Example  A 300 x 300 mm image make a canvas 320 x 320 mm (with suitable ppi setting)  https://i.imgur.com/8B5c7hG.jpg

2. Set up some guides to define a) the image area (300 x 300) b) the bleed area - usually 3mm extra on all sides. A rectangular selection set to a size and then Image -> Guides -> Guides from Selection  works. https://i.imgur.com/UCV4S9Y.jpg

3. Then just paint in the crop marks in each corner following the guides. https://i.imgur.com/WoBKI3p.jpg

4. Import the image to cover the bleed area, turn off the guides: https://i.imgur.com/4eBNp8g.jpg

5. Export the image in whatever format the printer requires, tiff, jpeg...Ask the printer.

6. If your image has a white border then you will not need a bleed area...Ask the printer.

Thanks for the information. One quick question. If I want to print a poster in A1 format do I have to make the design in GIMP also in A1?

[rich2005]

(08-21-2018, 06:53 PM)Ropke95 Wrote: Thanks for the information. One quick question. If I want to print a poster in A1 format do I have to make the design in GIMP also in A1?

The Gimp A1 template is set to 300 ppi printing resolution. The 300 ppi comes from the accepted value for printing in photographic quality. Good for holding a photograph in your hand. Large images such as posters generally do not need as much as 300 ppi because they are usually viewed at a distance.

Check this chart http://resources.printhandbook.com/pages...ce-dpi.php
This one says up to 300 ppi for posters, so the best thing is, (as usual Ask the printer) https://www.photoline.co.uk/artwork-guide/

Always depends, If a photograph then you might need 250 ppi but if it is more of an artistic design or an advertising poster then a lower value maybe 150 ppi.