My method for adjusting ink limit (total area coverage)

ok, folks. i've decided post suggestion requested. may @ workflow , decide it's way work , there's easier way. but, i've done number of times , have seen excellent results , after few times running through can in sleep. feel least damaging image , keeps file changing visually much.

 

1. first, open offending image , save have original file go if have to. here example image. being informed publication sending ink limit should under 300. when check image eyedropper set "total ink" seeing 320-350 in many areas.

 

 

2. new file open, duplicate file have 2 images open. in "copy" select black channel , duplicate channel within file. in cases, high total ink areas found in "darkest" parts of images. duplicating black channel, using selection mask.

 

 

3. on "copy" image, want choose edit > convert profile. here choose custom cmyk , in next dialog box change total ink limit desired amount, in case 300.

 

4. after conversion, use eyedropper , check total ink in areas discovered high. see lower numbers, , numbers may have gone far , you'll see converted image looks different original image. but, not worry, following steps solve that.

 

5. in "copy" image, cmyk channels active, select pixels.

 

6. go other, "original" image have open , select > load selection. choose "black copy" channel "copy" image , choose invert. load selection mask in image of "darkest" parts of image.

 

 

7. selection active, want edit > paste into. pasting selection converted image, affecting darkest parts of image. result create new layer , layer mask. if turn off view of bottom layer, can see have pasted image.

 

 

8. use eyedropper check total ink top layer turned on , off. use opacity slider on top layer image total ink meets desired 300 level. once it's want, flatten image , done. "copy" image can close , no save.

 

you might better performance v2 profile 300 total ink limit (like swop), instead of using custom cmyk. test , see.

 

the real solution, of course, use profile conversion more accurately describes press conditions. might ask publication more information (like profile use make separations).

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