bw > cmyk conversion in photoshop

[LoneStar]

Have a client who wishes to convert and print grayscale images in cmyk, is there a specific way to do this that will render optimal print quality. Any help would be appreciated.

[TerryWyse]

Piece of cake....

If you have an idea of the printing conditions/specs (GRACoL., SWOP, etc.), you simply need to create a new ICC profile from one of these datasets and specify maximum GCR and a "long" black. Once you make this profile, simply separate the grayscale image using this profile and you'll be all set. You'll get good gray balance stability this way and generally a much better/wider dynamic/density range.

Regards,
Terry

[michaelejahn]

Have a client who wishes to convert and print grayscale images in cmyk, is there a specific way to do this that will render optimal print quality. Any help would be appreciated.

While Terry advice is correct, I wondered what is the real reason behind this decision ? Is the hope to have smoother results and a deeper blacks, or are they interested in doing some duotone/tritone effects ?

btw - it is always a good idea to search the Print Planet forum for answers to your questions - I can see this topic has been discussed before, and you can instanly get wisdom / opinions on a subject that way...

Printing grayscale images in CMYK?

hope that helps !

[rich apollo]

You could also:

1) select all
2) cut
3) convert to CMYK
4) paste into the K channel
5) run a little voodoo with the Channel Mixer.

Doing an ICC color transform may work for you, but then you may wind up with more CMY than you want.