CreativePro Forum

Return to Member Forum

• Author
  Posts
• • May 22, 2012 at 5:38 am #62234
    jimmykup

    Member

    Hi all,

    Newbie question here.

    There's a very vibrant blue I want to use in my InDesign file. Unfortunately it's only vibrant in RGB. The CMYK equivalent is rather stale.

    Now I'm not very versed on all the advantages of Pantone colors. But can a Pantone blue get me the vibrancy that I'm looking for? I understand that my printer will charge me extra for using pantones. But if it'll get me the look I'm going for, it might be worth it.

    Thanks.

  • May 22, 2012 at 6:03 am #62235
    David Blatner

    Keymaster

    Yes, that is exactly what pantone spot color inks are for… bright, brash, specific color!

  • May 22, 2012 at 6:31 am #62237
    jimmykup

    Member

    That's great to hear! :)

    Two more questions then.

    First, what's the best way to find the best pantone color? My first thought was searching Google for an RGB to Pantone converter.

    Second, I'm looking at InDesign and there are just so many Pantone libraries to choose from. I really don't know where to start or what the differences are. My only thought was that different libraries apply to different paper types. What's the deal here?

  • May 22, 2012 at 8:45 am #62241
    jimmykup

    Member

    Ok, so I've figured out that Coated does indeed refer to the paper I'm printing on. And since I'll be printing on glossy, I guess I'll be going with the “PANTONE Solid Coated” library for my selection(s).

    I also figured out that choosing my RGB color in Photoshop and then bringing up the desired library in the color picker will show me the closest pantone match. Sweet.

    I have another question now though. I'm designing a 100 page full-size catalog. In InDesign when I chose a Pantone color for my text, I add it to my swatches and it's locked in as a Spot color.

    Pantones are ALWAYS spot color, right? And CMYK is always process? Or is it more complicated than that?

    Is my printer going to charge me extra for each spot(pantone) color I use? So the more spot colors I have, the higher the cost?

    The large majority (99%) of my project is using CMYK (process) colors. Is it considered normal to print a document that's mostly process CMYK with some spot colors here and there?

  • May 22, 2012 at 10:26 am #62242
    David Blatner

    Keymaster

    I think the answer to all your questions is yes. Many printers do print 4-color-plus spot. But you NEED to talk to your printer about mixing spot and process colors.

    One of the most important lessons to learn: Don't ever pick a spot color on your computer screen. Only pick spot colors from a printed swatch book. (Your printer will have one, or you can buy one for a lot of money.)

    Read this chapter from an old edition of one of my books:

    https://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com…..s_ch13.pdf

    It's about Photoshop, but it should give you some key information.

  • May 25, 2012 at 6:11 am #62275
    Rebecca Evans

    Member

    For print work, I would extend David's advice to say don't ever pick ANY color on your computer screen unless you have gone to the trouble and expense to color correct your monitor and the lighting in your studio.

    Pantone makes Color Bridge fans (coated and uncoated) that show many of the Pantone colors next to CMYK approximations of them. Not all Pantone colors can be replicated with CMYK so there are far fewer colors in Color Bridge than are avilalbe from Pantone. The Color Bridge fans cost a little over $200US but are also available used at places like eBay and Amazon. Be aware that the age of the fan—if you buy used—affects the color of the swatches because paper changes color with age. Here is a link to a pdf representation of the Color Bridge fan “leaves” set up side by side into pages. Not sure how old this is. New Color Bridge fans many have more colors.

    https://www.purplelemongraphics….._Chart.pdf

    There are also printed books of CMYK colors that gradually increase each ink color in little squares. An example is “Process Color Manual” by Pat and Michael Rogondino. It shows 24,000 CMYK combinations. Again, if you buy used, the age of the book affects the color of the swatches.

    Here is a link to an RGB CMYK chart. Not sure how it's organized because it's definitely not a set of gradually changing colors, it's a big striped ribbon in no discernable order (to me). You might be able to find your RBG color in it, which would give you a starting point to finding a CMYK approximation.

    https://www.logoorange.com/colo…..-chart.php

    No printed CMYK color will be vibrant like the colors you see on screen because your screen is creating those colors with beautiful bright light.

• Author
  Posts