Converting the Image to CMYK

If you are outputting the image to four-color process color separations, it s wise to convert it to CMYK first so that you can make any necessary adjustments and accurately predict how the image will print. First, preview the document; then follow these steps:

1. Duplicate the flattened, sharpened image. Name the file big_city_ night_cmyk.psd and place it next to the original RGB image on-screen, making sure it s active.

2. In the View menu, make sure that Proof Colors is checked, and then choose View ’ Proof Setup ’ Working CMYK to display the image in the CMYK setup that you selected in the color settings. In this case, it s U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2, which is part of the U.S. Prepress Defaults selected earlier in this project. By comparing the CMYK preview image to the RGB image, you ll notice minor color shifts in the sky of the CMYK preview file, but let s convert the file as is.

3. Choose Image ’ Mode ’ CMYK to convert the file.

4. Save the image.

Note  

If there are radical color shifts, use the adjustment commands in the Image menu to restore the color, bearing in mind that there may be no possibility of exactly matching the colors in the RGB images.