InDesign and color problems.

[IntruderVS800]

Ok, heres an InDesign problem for you all to ponder while at work. At least I think its IDs fault with overlays, etc.

The involved parties: InDesign CS2, Photoshop CS2. Xitron RIP, Epson 7600, Dual 2.3 GHz G5, 1.5 GBs RAM.

A CMYK photoshop tif with a 100%K background is dropped into InDesign on a 100%K background.

We then create a postscript file for use in preps, to our Xitron RIP, to our Epson 7600, we get 2 different blacks on the Epson print out (a black, and a dark muddy gray from the photoshop .tif). If we distill the .ps file, it even shows in the .pdf file as a black, and a muddy dark gray where the imported photoshop tif is placed over the black background.

But when we go to plates/press, it prints correctly.
Its only looking bad on the proof we send to the customer, and the .pdf.
Its only out of InDesign also, it doesnt happen in Quark.
I am leaning towards InDesign being the culprit.

Anyone have any ideas?
Is it InDesign, our Xitron RIP, our Epson 7600?

Thanks for any thoughts or ideas.

[Nellster]

If you were to make a pdf of this job and then view it in acrobat with the seperations preview to ON, what does it look like and what are the values across the varying black bg?

I had the same problem too a whiles back.

[IntruderVS800]

Nellster, after looking at the .pdf file distilled from the .ps, the PS background is showing as 75%K, and the ID background is showing as 100%K.

Since we deal with print brokers, we can contact the designers personally. We just take what we are given, and fight them tooth and nail to get them on press.

It seems that ID files are giving us quite a few headaches.

We are upgradeing to Rampage next month, and I am wondering if it might be our current Xitron RIP as a possible culprit as well??

[almaink]

Just wondering, do you have color management active in InDesign?

[kl3]

in my experience, colour management discrepancies can make adifference in a case like this. if I place an image (with colour profile 1 embedded) with 100% black into an InDesign file with colour profile 2 embedded, the profile in InDesign will overide the image's profile and this will often make black appear to be rich black rather than 100%.
I counteract this by resaving image with same colour profile as InDesign file.
don't know if this helps or not

k

[Tybo]

Under Indesign preferences, there is an option for Display of Black. 100K black is a bit muddy, change it to Rich Black and the black has heaps more density.
I always have this set to Rich black and never have any troubles. I thought this only was to do with RGB, but it could be your culprit.