Can someone please explain or outline for me the different settings on the PS color settings preference. Most especially the CMYK U.S. settings. I do photo retouching and desk top publishing so what should be the best setting for this preference section. What do you think of the WEB Graphics or U.S. defaults?

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is generally for work that is going to be sent to a press for publication. This setting allows you or the print house to do color seperations for each of the screens, or negs to be used on the press. Web Graphics uses the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) settings. The difference is that this will warn you if a color you have chosen is not on the 216 color web pallette that is considered web safe colors that will in theory appear the same in any browser. Most Photoshop work is done in RGB and then conveted to a final format if needed when the work is finished and ready to deliver. As I do not know your specific needs I cannot reccomend any specific pallette, but as I said RGB is usually the best all around unless you have specific needs for something else.

Thanks man. I wanted to know whether these settings affect the way an image is displayed on the monitor. I use the RGB IEc61966-2.1settings, CMYK US Web coated (SWOP)v2. The problem I have is my service provider prints the work in a slightly different shade. He says thats what's on his monitor and it does look different from what my monitor shows. I don't know whetherits my setting or his (unless he doesn't actually know what he's doing). And I don't believe its a matter of our difference in settings coz I did the work and he's just to print it out. So the difference may be on my side. I'm not sure so I need help on this one. One more thing, should I toggle on the color management policies?

By color management policies, I am assuming you are talking about the color options at that are available at the time you save the file. If so it cannot hurt to imbed them, but they are primarily used for in-house proofing on your own printers. From what you described regarding your print service and the differences you experienced I would suggest that you consider getting a color scale print from them and adjusting your monitor to match it. You can do this using the Adobe Gamma Adjustment tool in your control panel, and save it as a monitor profile. Then when you are at the point where you need to do the final adjustments before send it off to your print service, you can turn that profile on and rest assured that what you see on the screen is what you will get off the press. This does have to be done about every 6 months or so as monitors change with time. BTW... You can create as many of these profiles as you need, and just name them accordingly. For example, we use at least four different print houses plus our own in house two color press. Each one has its own monitor Gamma profile set, so I can just activate whichever one I need according to the press the work will be done on.

This is interesting, I didn't think of asking for a color scale. Would it also work if I also do it the other way around - I give them my gamma profiles? My home workstation has these but I never set it on the office workstation coz my boss has other ideas.

they're more liukely to tell you to match their computers, not the other way around. If everyone asked them to do so, they'd be spending a lot of time calibreating their systems, which would suck for them. Also, I dunno about you, but I'd trust myself more than the print house. I'd say follow Alpha's advice and get the colour scale. that way you know nothing will fawk up, and you'll get it right the first time instead of trusting them to spend the time needed.

CMYK (Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, and Knockout)will display differently from one monitor to another for one simple reason. Monitors are calibrated to display RGB. The standard CRT monitor as you already know uses the red, green,and blue colour gun, and as such cannot properly display CMYK no matter what gamma settings you are using. Every ones eyes see colour differently. set your gamma in the morning, then set it again a few hours later, you will see that change for yourself. The standard ICC profile settings in PhotoShop (SWOP) V2 only represent a standardized working space for attempting to maintain colour consistency. The operative word is "attempting" There is only one way, ok two ways to ensure exact colour. Specify Pantone ink colours to be used once seperations are made, and the other swear up and down that it was meant to be that way.

Whew, online after overnite cpu problem. I read you guys. Sound advice, I'll place my bets on Alpha's. Mugs & slinky, thanks.