I am intending to upload some images to the Digital Arts Prints at the R'osity Marketplace but I need some help with colour management. I've searched through the forum archives for info on CMYK and printing and although I've learnt some things I'm still unsure on some points. Below is an extract in part from the submission guidelines for digital art in the Marketplace: File Format: All files should be in CMYK color space. Images left in RGB color space can shift color as much as 10-30%. The following file formats are acceptable for printing: -.JPEG -.TIFF -.PSD -.PDF Gloss Laminated Prints are 150 gm Satin Photobase with 5 ml lustre overlaminate. Canvas is 17 ml coated artist canvas with spray fix to lock in color. Paper is semi-archival paper and will last forever. My questions. After converting an RGB image to CMYK it displays fine in PS but varies markedly in other programs (in depth of contrast and swings in colour tint). Is there some standard/setting that I can use for determining that my image as displayed in PS(6)is as it will appear at R'ositys printers? Shane

There is no standard setting for this without proofing the image. I have been asked to have all questions regarding the Fine Art Prints sent to... store@renderosity.com

well, the digital art prints will not be proofed, so you're gonna be taking chances no matter what you do to make sure your colour is accurate. After all, just because it's setup to look spot on on your screen and printer, most likely it won't on anyone else's. and if paper is only semi-archival, that means it will only last "semi-forever", heh.

It would be easier if we could know what range of printers this stuff will be printed on, eg a Canon, fuji, Kamori, etc then we can get the drivers for them and do the specific CMYK corrections b4 sending the artwork off... tis what I do ;) Kai

yeah that WOULD be nice.... I REALLY wish the prints were higher than 100 ppi/dpi (i assume it will print out at 100 dpi as well). Of course, I also wish these damn prints were actually making reasonable sales... still waiting for a sale on the grudge, lol

100 dpi is way way low an average magazine prints at 300dpi, a newspaper at 150dpi. if they are printing at 100dpi... don't even bother. you'll get better from an epson / canon / hpdeskjet.

Semi-Archival paper? Is the Laminate/glue Archival? 100 DPI printing? No artist proof?

wow, sounds pretty shytty now eh? lol

Thanks for all your help. I've contact the store as advised by Alpha. Just waiting now on a reply. Shane

To address your concerns;

We do everything in our power to insure colour accuracy in every job we print.

I personally colour calibrate every media we print on using the best colour calibration software on the market in conjunction with a colour spectrophotometer.

Semi archival means it will last a very long time (200 years) if not exposed to direct sunlight.

All jobs sent to us are converted to PDF in photoshop 7 and checked for accuracy before being sent to our rip station for printing.

100 dpi at full size is plenty big enough for digital input. The rip software takes care of the rest. The only time you need 150 to 300 dpi is when youre going to film.

Our over laminate is acid free and contains UV protection.

I hope this helps answer your concerns about digital printing.
If you have any more questions fell free to contact me.
Thank you for your interest.

Jack Hodges
aka ijack999
Production coordinator
Design To Print

Jack, thanks for the input, we appreciate you clearing up a few question we have, and thanks for the direct link. :) retrocity

'100 dpi at full size is plenty big enough for digital input. The rip software takes care of the rest. The only time you need 150 to 300 dpi is when youre going to film.' are you sure on this? I work at a print firm where we routinely work at 300dpi on a Kamori 5 stage printer.. I asked them today about printing at 100dpi for 'fine art'.. I won't repeat the reply since children may be reading.. but the general concencous was 'are they kidding???'

I have a question. If the art work is size to 28x22 for the art prints, how are you doing the new size for the posters at 17x11? Are you goner crop the pictures to make them fit the new size, stretch the pictures to fit or leave blank areas on each end?

I really hope cropping and/or stretching the art is not considered as an viable option.

ditto.

The artists will need to upload a new file to be printed at 10x16, if a 10x16 file is not available the prints will have to be made at 10"x12.5". Also to re-address the 100 dpi issue a Kamori 5-stage is an offset printing press, our prints are made on a wide format digital printer, as the set-up costs on an offset press are prohibitive for runs under 250 pieces. Also the digital printing gives a larger color gamut for more vibrant reproductions. But nonetheless they are completely different processes and the same resolution rules do not apply. Hope this eases any concerns. Cody Design To Print

This is more a question of how R'osity set up the store, but how is the customer supposed to know which one they will be getting? Right now, 10x16 is the only option (on the cheaper print).

We are looking into this. Seems that there has been some miss communications. Clint

Why not change the size in the store to 10x12.5 then no one needs to upload a new image.

Or simply take away the option for those that can't make the size?

We will be going with an 11"x14" on 80lb paper for $25.00. Thanks for brining this to our attention. Clint

Yeah, that as well:)

I have a question for DesignToPrint and ClintH, there is something of a difference between 100 pixels-per-inch digital and the printers dots-per-inch ink resolutions. I can understand the the "PPI" part. But what is the actual "DPI" on the printers part? Alex

...It couldn't possibly 100 dpi ink. ... Addendum: I use Photoshop 6/7 and print with Pressready software RIP to an Epson photo 1200 at 1440 ink-dpi from 300/400 ppi .EPS files, I have yet to try printing .PDF's. Additionaly I would like to sell my images on renderosity, however with less print size options, as these are merely from 35mm slides. They will not reach 16 x 22" and much less 22 x 28". I would need an 11 x 14' only option, is/will that be possible? Alex