Photoshop - 400% Ink Coverage

[sean3325]

I am working on an offset printed job that keeps getting flagged by the printer for having 400% ink coverage in some areas. To fix this, I have been using selective color in Photoshop to take the CMY out of the black areas. So, I have 2 questions:

1. Is there a better way to do this?
2. Is this even my job? Isn't this like a prepress problem?

Thanks!

[Iron Canvas Studios]

1. that's how I do it most of the time
2. yes and no. if you know what you're doing you shouldn't have anymore than around 300% total ink coverage, if you do and they change it for you that holds up production and they charge you for the time it takes them to do it.

[sean3325]

OK, thanks. So is there a way I can check the ink coverage in Acrobat before sending the file? They are printing from my press ready PDF.

[Andymac]

GCR - grey component removal or under colour removal

We used to use it all the time in screenprinting process colour, cuts down on the ink piles etc.

brightens your image too.

have no idea what the offset/prepress guys do to achieve it.

[RichieGoodtimes]

Same thing we do. GCR.

Shit...I need to email you that crap back. Is it too late?

[the hipoisie]

There is an easy way to do it...
last minute panda help.
but the screen caps are gone, so I don't know what the "go here" stuff is referring to. Maybe Schwager can post an update.

[Iron Canvas Studios]

yup, go to Advanced> Print Production> Output Preview, then you can drag your cursor over the image and it will tell you your ink levels. I don't think it's shows a total coverage %, but if you can do simple math then it's easy.

Our RIP software has a similar thing but gives us a total coverage % so we do it there too.

[RichieGoodtimes]

Tell the printer you don't want the intern working on your job anymore.

[RichieGoodtimes]

That should fix it.

[sean3325]

Thanks for the help!

Originally Posted by Andymac

GCR - grey component removal or under colour removal

Where can I find this?