Out of gamut

[andybuk99]

I have shot 20 images for a client with my digital back and have noticed that in photoshop that the reds appear out of gamut. The question is that as I have not been asked to convert them to cmyk or been supplied with their printer profile am I right in thinking that their designer is responsible for all conversions?

[Hendrik]

No, you should ask them what they expect. We only can guess.

[jjlphoto]

No, you should ask them what they expect. We only can guess.
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Exactly. Is this product work where the printed piece needs to match client samples? This requires very careful coordination between photographer, prepress house, and printer, and should involve what is known in the industry as "contract proofs" (Skilled photographers can make them, or they are out-sourced to a vendor). All this is billable production charges, and photographers who routinely are involved in this find it to be a new profit center. Even whan great care is taken and colors have to be rebuilt to specific CMYK values by an experienced prepress graphics person, many catalogs still print discaimers on the rear stating that "this printed sample has limitations and may not accuraltely reflect true product color".

I deliver files in AdobeRGB, and are balanced to the industry term known as "Pleasing Color". My T&C state this, along with a disclaimer stating that "I am not responsible for color critical CMYK work, and if requested, will be an additional charge".

Both parties have to be made aware of what they are expecting, and who is resposible for what at the beginings of the proposal negotiations. Waiting until the job is shot puts everyone in an awkward position. I tell clients that I have observe UPDIG recommendations (sort of like the ISO 9000 group for photographers). That way if they have any questions, they can go to UPDIG itself and see what resources are available for me to conduct my workflow.

[a href=\"http://www.updig.org/]http://www.updig.org/[/url]

[digitaldog]

I deliver files in AdobeRGB, and are balanced to the industry term known as "Pleasing Color". My T&C state this, along with a disclaimer stating that "I am not responsible for color critical CMYK work, and if requested, will be an additional charge".
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=89874\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Excellent! This is super important when delivering RGB files as someone can easily hose the color down stream and blame you. Protect yourself OR do your own custom CMYK profiles and conversions and charge the client like mad!

[andybuk99]

I have now included an updated readme file on my cd's to include

2)The images are supplied in Adobe RGB(1998) colour profile as requested. Conversion to CMYK should be carried out by a designer/printer who has a clear understanding of ICC profiles. It is recommended that proofs should be ordered to ensure colour accuracy and to avoid out of gamut colours when converting from a wide colour space such as Adobe RGB(1998).

Until I have learnt how to create perfect cmyk conversions I want to make all my clients aware of the complexities of the process.

[Nick Rains]

Until I have learnt how to create perfect cmyk conversions I want to make all my clients aware of the complexities of the process.
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What's to learn?

If the client supplies a preferred CMYK profile to use then converting is a cinch. If not, then don't convert and supply Adobe RGB as per the previous recommendations.

It is not necessary to learn all the ins and outs of CMYK stuff unless you need/want to be a colour geek.

There is not really any such thing as a 'perfect CMYK conversion' - only one that works well for a particular set of press conditions. This may not be the only one that works either - there are, as they say, "many ways to skin a cat".