Prepressforums.com

Techboy · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2007, 06:52 AM

Hi All,
I always thought the main difference in creating duo/tri/quadtone is to achieve a certain color or look. Given the that you can create the same look using duo instead of quad... wouldn't it be smart to keep it to just duo?

In my experience tri and quad only increases ink density and color richness. It doesn't bring out more detail. Can others confirm this or am I wrong?

Thanks.

Pointyhat · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2007, 06:53 AM

it depends on how many colors in the piece, 2, 3 or 4.

Techboy · #3 (**permalink**) 07-02-2007, 07:06 AM

Designers aren't interested in amount of color they use as long as they can achieve the visual color. That said, our photoshop guru is wondering if he should just create a quadtone and maybe bring out more detail and richer color on the image.

I suggested duotone because if you can achieve the same look and feel using two colors, I see no reason to make it a quadtone hoping for a little more detail/color. The project is 4-color though, so I can understand why he is considering creating quadtone.

Pointyhat · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2007, 07:11 AM

well if he's creating a quadtone, he has to add color and if he's not going to use four it doesn't make any sense to create one.

glenno · #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2007, 07:42 PM

YOu answered you own Question, from a creative point of view it is going to look better with four colours (richer and punchy) Its going to be harder for the printer but hey they choose there profession.

Pointyhat · #6 (**permalink**) 07-02-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenno

YOu answered you own Question, from a creative point of view it is going to look better with four colours (richer and punchy) Its going to be harder for the printer but hey they choose there profession.

Hey, the printer prints the seps he gets. If they're not designed properly with an overall understanding of what exactly the four colors are going to do on a press, then the designer eats it. Sounds like we're dealing with a designer that says "looks good on my screen".
And it's their, not there.

glenno · #7 (**permalink**) 07-02-2007, 09:02 PM

You are not telling us anything new....
He wanted advise not a smart remark..We all know the printer prints the separation she or he gets but if the press can handle a TAC of up to 360 why not use that limit if it looks better.
Its about all trying to work together to get the best possible result.
Supplying Proofs etc.

David · #8 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 04:38 AM

quadtones, duotones, grayscale, four color process, hex color...

they all have a purpose and not all purposes are for detail, most are just for fun and for a different look. Could be they're printing on some weird colored paper.
We're actually proofing now (you won't believe this) some four color process images on a piece of lumber!

We do four color black and whites, sounds stupid but they have a look that the designer wants.

Whatever, it's not my money and we'll print it whatever it's look.

cheers,
David

Techboy · #9 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 04:56 AM

Thanks for the responses.

It is true designers often do odd things to achieve a certain look/design. It is also true they often don't care about the extra costs and time that occurs on the other end. Everything serves a purpose, it's just that I don't always agree with wasting money or creating headaches for press people.

In the perfect world, I would have direct contact with press people, so I can get a straight answer from players who actually does the work. However, in many corporate environments, there is a dept. called "Production" acting as the middleman that only delays things and providing me with inaccurate informations.

Pointyhat · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 05:11 AM

Techboy I agree with you, i think a quadtone in place of a duo tone is a waste of ink and could get muddy. But I guess it all depends on what colors are being used.

Glenno it's advice not advise.