Total Ink Density

[Kiwi_Dave@adobeforums.com]

Is it possible to control total ink density options in a pdf?

I recently provided a pdf to a newspaper using their distiller options, and the images came out very muddy because of the ink density. I'm just wondering if I should adjust all of the images first in photoshop, or if acrobat can handle this?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Dave

[Steve_Werner@adobeforums.com]

Adjust them in Photoshop. However, if you have Acrobat 7 Professional, you can view total ink density to check it.

[Phil_Taz@adobeforums.com]

I wonder if they are actually colour managing properly.....many places offer .joboptions but only a fraction actually use the profile to really control the TID in my experience.

The preview in Acrobat is relative to the output profile selected, that would have to match the one the printer is (possibly) using.

I would call them and ask what their max ink or TID is before going any further and if they can tell you, you have a chance of accurate preview and print.

If they act confused, use some deduction and work out your own TID for their workflow. (Not ideal but a start, keep in mind that they may have an inconsistent workflow, that is the sad reality)

[Christine_Krof_Shock@adobeforums.com]

Also...InDesign has a great way to check total ink density (Window>Output>Separations...change from separations to ink density) it will highlight any areas over ink in red...you can then make your corrections with more insight in Photoshop

[Phil_Taz@adobeforums.com]

I have a good little action on my list; (photoshop) I hit f2 and automatically (via action) create a 'threshhold' layer which is set to show any part that exceeds my max ink level. Then I just hit cmd-z and its gone. Takes a second and gives me a good idea of where the richest part of pic is.

[Kiwi_Dave@adobeforums.com]

Thanks for your comments. Christine I shall definitely use InDesigns Ink Density from now on, and Phil I really like the threshold trick.

Cheers

Dave

[Unregistered]

There's a product called FixMyPrintFile which will reduce total ink coverage on PDFs. It has settings for newspapers and commercial print.