Printing grayscale images in CMYK?

[tmiller_iluvprinting]

I have created profiles that I use for 4/c BW images, 4/c gray builds, and images that are dominated with gray balance. I build the profiles using the highest GCR setting with MaxK generation. Many advantages including:
Stability and consistency at press
Not affected by other design elements as much(adjustments to colored imagery/elements)
Ink savings
Reduces metamerism when viewed outside D50 lighting
Regards,
Todd

[Alith7]

It is a shame that there isn't the alternative to choose what GCR to use on a per image basis. Greyscales can look really good with an above average GCR. filling in the spaces on the middtones gives a softer, smoother image especially in portraits. The trick is to keep the bulk of the grey scale in K so that variations are minimal. We just did a 5 colour print run with CMYK+K, it was mainly to have a nice rich black backround without getting too much ink. first K at 80% second at 100% I love trapping for neg text

a bit OT, but I had to laugh at your last bit! my pressman walks up to me this morning with a super black flood folder with reversed out white text/logos and full color photos. i had already gone through the painful process or reverse trapping the white with a hairline black so that we didn't' get color halos. he tells me that he's having a lot of hicky problems and wants a 5th plate of an 80% black screen for just the solid....
gotta love it.

[ajr]

In the "Old days" our scanner op could produce some beautiful black and whites out of four colours always looked rich with no danger of the C,M or Y being to dominant a perfect balance. I think 4 colour greyscale pictures always look better when printed next to any colour work they just need the depth to balance the page.

AjR