Reply To: Using RGB JPEGs PSDs in InDesign

Generally, if one is single-sourcing the output, for example a magazine publishing company sending to only SWOP presses, then it really doesn't matter if one converts in Photoshop or InDesign (as long as the color management settings are synchronized in Bridge). Of course, one should still keep a copy or the RGB original if converting in Photoshop.

If one outputs to different CMYK devices (laser, SWOP, newsprint, sheetfed, digital) for the final output, then an RGB workflow makes much more sense since every image would need a separate CMYK file created in Photoshop; then either separate InDesign layouts or the images would need to be swapped out. In InDesign, only a separate PDF would be needed. Not a problem for one or two images but it really pays off when using lots of images.

Another issue beyond CMYK or RGB is image resolution. Many users in an RGB workflow don't res-down the images. Not a big deal since excess resolution can be removed in the PDF–except for unsharp masking, which should be applied at the actual size/resolution of final output. For Mac users, a great utility is Zevrix Link Optimizer which can copy, convert, and down-res images before running unsharp mask on the images (and place them back into a copy of the InDesign layout).