Color experts: Using a CMYK profile on output to an RGB printer?

MD
Posted By
Matthew_Don
Nov 7, 2006
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233
Replies
8
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Closed
I know you should always use a color profile that matches the output (RGB profile for RGB printer), but I’m curious what exactly happens behind the scenes in this situation?

If you have an RGB image, and print it to an RGB printer using a CMYK printer profile does it do a double conversion? Will the image actually output as CMYK from Shop, then be converted back to RGB by the printer?

Anybody have any insight on this?
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C
chrisjbirchall
Nov 7, 2006
Do you actually have a printer that has Red Green and Blue inks?!

I’ve never seen one.

As far as I know, all printers use CMYK, with the printer driver actually converting the RGB information on the fly.
DM
Don_McCahill
Nov 7, 2006
Most printers have RGB drivers, and if you start with CMYK, this is converted to RGB to the printer, which then applies the CMYK (or more) inks to create the colors as close as possible.

Thus, there is no reason one should create a file in CMYK mode unless that file will eventually be used on a commercial printing press.
MO
Mike_Ornellas
Nov 8, 2006
If you have an RGB image, and print it to an RGB printer using a CMYK printer profile does it do a double conversion?

No,

it’s a RGB to CMmYyK or CMmYyKG or CMYK or RGB to RGB to CMYK or what ever system you are feeding the file to.

but in simple terms, it sounds like CMYK to RGB to CMYKish…
C
chrisjbirchall
Nov 8, 2006
Okay… I got C, I got M and I got Y.

Tell me Mike: Where do I get the Kish inks from? they sound rather… well… Kish 😉
B
Bernie
Nov 8, 2006
Not Kish, quiche!
MD
Matthew_Don
Nov 9, 2006
Ok, so the profile will actually come into play initiating what seems like an unnecessary conversion to me. I’m wondering why Shop doesn’t just restrict the choice of Printer profiles based on the Driver.. if it sees it as an RGB driver only allow the user to select RGB profiles, and vice – versa. Its just giving the users who don’t know the difference between an RGB and CMYK output profile more rope to hang themselves with.

Thanks for the feedback!
Matt
CC
Chris_Cox
Nov 9, 2006
Because the OS allows you to change which printer you’ll print to AFTER the Photoshop print options dialog is shown.
SD
Scott_D_Lindley
Nov 10, 2006
"As far as I know, all printers use CMYK…"

There are printers that use RGB lasers to expose photographic paper. No ink involved.

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