Digital Prints

2. If you’re using a print-service provider that needs to end up with CMYK, have them make
the RGB-to-CMYK conversion; they’ll have more control over the process. Do all your
image-editing in RGB but use their provided ICC profile to preview on your monitor how
it’s going to look in CMYK.
3. On the other hand, if you’re using page-layout programs to create ads, brochures, etc., for
commercial offset printing, you could do the RGB-to-CMYK conversion yourself (most
commercial printers hate receiving RGB files), as long as you’ve received conversion specifications
from the printer. When in doubt, and if a commercial printer can’t or won’t give you
an ICC profile (and many won’t), you could use Photoshop’s built-in CMYK preset profiles
as a last resort, especially the SWOP-standard ones, to get you in the ballpark.
4. A more recent, more flexible page layout workflow involves placing your RGB images
directly into the layout software (InDesign is a must for this!) and then converting that
layout for different uses later, often by saving out device-specific PDF files.
What Is Color Management?
Color management is one of those terms like health maintenance. Everyone has a vague
idea of what it is, and most admit it’s important, but few actually understand it.
Chapter 4 ■ Understanding and Managing Color 125