Why Import RGB Images into InDesign and Convert to CMYK on Export

[Syphon]

Found this article on G+ and wonder what you think.
Why You Should Import RGB Images Into InDesign and Convert to CMYK On Export

I never tried the Convert to Destination (Preserve Numbers) as they suggest in the article.
We tend to "fix" the crappy InDesign file the client sent before we go any further including converting RGB photos to CMYK.

[StudioMonkey]

I stopped converting to CMYK in PhotoShop ages ago, mainly because I was getting a ton of work for a digital press and couldn't be arsed.  Besides, the quality seemed OK most of the time (not doing really high quality jobs).  I figured the Convert to Destination was doing the job well enough.  

I have to say, though, sometimes I have to convert simply because the photos come out too saturated (especially greens).

[DCurry]

I've been a fan of the method described in that article for several years now. At my last gig, my coworker, who was otherwise one of the best prepress people I have worked with in person, wasn't up to speed on the issue and so would waste time converting images to CMYK, then updating the links. As a book printer, sometimes that could be hundreds of images. When a similar job came across my desk, I used the Convert upon Export method and spent no extra time at all, and the results are identical.

At my current shop, I don't convert anything - we let Prinergy handle the conversions (although I believe it is set up to use AdobeRGB as the source profile default for untagged images, which can result in skin tones being too red. I would prefer it to default to sRGB, since that's a lowest common denominator among people who don't know what they're doing.)

[Joe]

I've been a fan of the method described in that article for several years now. At my last gig, my coworker, who was otherwise one of the best prepress people I have worked with in person, wasn't up to speed on the issue and so would waste time converting images to CMYK, then updating the links. As a book printer, sometimes that could be hundreds of images. When a similar job came across my desk, I used the Convert upon Export method and spent no extra time at all, and the results are identical.

At my current shop, I don't convert anything - we let Prinergy handle the conversions (although I believe it is set up to use AdobeRGB as the source profile default for untagged images, which can result in skin tones being too red. I would prefer it to default to sRGB, since that's a lowest common denominator among people who don't know what they're doing.)

I didn't realize you worked with DCS!

Ditto on letting Prinergy convert them. I very rarely convert anything in Photoshop. 99.9% of the time Prinergy does as good or better than Photoshop. I even tell customers not to use the "Convert to Destination" on export from InDesign. I always tell them to use the PDF X-4 settings but to change the image compression to ZIP. It uses "No color conversion" for its output settings.

[Farabomb]

I've been letting Prinergy do the converting basically since we got it. Only on rare occasions has it been an issue.

[Ear]

I've been a fan of the method described in that article for several years now. At my last gig, my coworker, who was otherwise one of the best prepress people I have worked with in person, wasn't up to speed on the issue and so would waste time converting images to CMYK, then updating the links. As a book printer, sometimes that could be hundreds of images. When a similar job came across my desk, I used the Convert upon Export method and spent no extra time at all, and the results are identical.

At my current shop, I don't convert anything - we let Prinergy handle the conversions (although I believe it is set up to use AdobeRGB as the source profile default for untagged images, which can result in skin tones being too red. I would prefer it to default to sRGB, since that's a lowest common denominator among people who don't know what they're doing.)

I didn't realize you worked with DCS!

He has been absent... busy organizing a holiday Postscript revival party. So busy, he doesn't even have a free hand.

[Joe]

I've been a fan of the method described in that article for several years now. At my last gig, my coworker, who was otherwise one of the best prepress people I have worked with in person, wasn't up to speed on the issue and so would waste time converting images to CMYK, then updating the links. As a book printer, sometimes that could be hundreds of images. When a similar job came across my desk, I used the Convert upon Export method and spent no extra time at all, and the results are identical.

At my current shop, I don't convert anything - we let Prinergy handle the conversions (although I believe it is set up to use AdobeRGB as the source profile default for untagged images, which can result in skin tones being too red. I would prefer it to default to sRGB, since that's a lowest common denominator among people who don't know what they're doing.)

I didn't realize you worked with DCS!

He has been absent... busy organizing a holiday Postscript revival party. So busy, he doesn't even have a free hand.

Probably using PageMaker 5 on OS 9 to make the invitations.

[Farabomb]

Have to run the files through flightcheck first.

[Ear]

Open in Illustrator and custom trap everything.

[DCurry]

I thought he was a Freehand fan?

[Ear]

Oh for sure. But he will begrudgingly dissect PDFs in Illustrator.

[David]

Oh for sure. But he will begrudgingly dissect PDFs in Illustrator.

then place them in Freehand...

[Tracy]

And then he'll give us a test on it :laugh: 

is it Give DCS a hard time day? :laugh:

[Joe]

And then he'll give us a test on it :laugh:

 

is it Give DCS a hard time day? :laugh:

Well he keeps disappearing so yes it is.

[Ear]

Speaking his name in vain is like a DCS dog whistle. It should draw him out of hiding.