Unless I'm missing something, I can't seem to save/export as a CMYK Tiff, only RGB. This is no big deal for now because I'm just doing web stuff, but I'm also importing images into Quark for offset printing--so I need CMYK.

Yeah, I know that nowadays, layout programs and RIPs do a decent job of converting RGB to CMYK on the fly, but old habits die hard.

In addition, I would like to be able to create CMYK colors in GIMP based on my PMS swatch books--not RGB. Currently, I have to create a CMYK color in Quark, convert it to RGB, read the values, and then enter those values in GIMP.

Is there a plug-in that allows me to work in CMYK? I found one that does CMYK separations but didn't install it because I don't really need something that does seps. (When I send my Quark and Tiff files to the printer for offset, that's THEIR problem with THEIR RIP.)

Thanks for your help!

You can export the layers and CMYK by going to the color's drop menu and Decompose to CMYK. All the layers, of course, will by greyscale. These layers can then be re-composed to color. Also, the layers are actually ideal for creating plates for offset printing use. See attached.

But they won't import into a layout program like Quark or InDesign like that, right?

Otherwise, it looks like I'm going to have to look for a simple freebie graphics format converter to do RGB to CMYK.

It's been a while since I used Quark. If you have a design ready for press, I'm not sure why you need Quark anyway, since Decompose gives you all four color separations if you will. Only reason you should need Quark is if you are adding things like text and other formatting. Then, you can import the graphic and have Quark create the artwork for plates (but again, it's been nearly 9 years since I last used Quark. fyi, I use to be part owner of an offset printing company and I did typesetting but only for around 6 months since I wasn't making any money then. lol). As a side note, I'm not sure if you heard of Scribus, but it can also create 4 color separations.

http://www.scribus.net/canvas/Scribus

For stuff with a lot of text...not to mention multi-page documents, you need a layout program.

PS, Gimp, Illustrator aren't cut out for this kind of work--only Quark and In Design.

Even if it's just a 1-page document, the text handling is far superior and easier to work with in a layout program than a graphics program,

Oh; I agree with you w.r.t. typesetting. Once you import the graphic in Quark though, why would you need CMYK? Quark should handle the color separations for press at that point. Anyway, I didn't do typesetting for very long and only had around 6 months (like I said) experience with Quark on an old Apple Computer. Still, I do remember how powerful Quark was. Integrated quite well with Photoshop and Illustrator to boot. InDesign was just coming out when I left the printing business for good. Quark was king then and probably still is now.

When you bring images into Quark (or ID), Quark still needs those separate image files--they don't become "part" of your Quark document. Without them for Quark to reference, you can't print--you'll just get a low res preview. So you have to supply your printer the Q file, all art files, and the fonts.

And while Quark can indeed do an RGB to CMYK conversion, it's not the optimum way to conduct your workflow. If you're doing intricate color retouching in PS or Gimp, how can one trust Quark to accurately make that conversion?

More important, when you send your files out for offset, printers use RIP (Raster Image Processing) software in conjunction with your Quark file. It takes your Q file, and related art files, and creates one EPS file which gets sent directly to digitally make the plates. Older systems still output film, and then engrave plates, but the ones I work with go direct to plate from that RIP--and if they see RGB, they only see red and tell you your art files are all screwed up.

A lot of this is both redundant and superfluous these days, since so many offset printers and pubs now prefer a Press Quality PDF anyway where everything is embedded into the one file--layout, art and fonts. It's more fool-proof for them as long as you Distill the PDF properly. Less problems with type not wrapping correctly (unintended font substitution), and missing, corrupted or incorrect format art files, since all they're working from is that single PDF.

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me on this one. Tomorrow, I'm going to start playing around with display type in GIMP--changing perspectives and such. (I already noticed that when you apply a drop shadow in Gimp, it actually creates a separate layer. In Quark, you just work it on the fly with nothing to do with layers.)

And by the way:

Quark is dying these days compared to In Design, although many still consider it a superior program. It's just that when companies have to purchase to fill ALL of their graphics needs, they buy the CS suite which includes ID, so little by little, Quark is withering away. Supposedly, Quark is widely used for international publishing firms utilizing multiple-languages across multiple users across multiple locations, but I'm not 100% sure about that.

And I just thought of something:

Can Gimp do Duotones?

Unfortunately, GIMP doesn't do duotones as you understand them. Still you can do Gradient mapping to create a decent fake. You can also do Powertoning (reduces RGB space to only needing 2 colors) like CreoScitex program. Also, you can do something like what I call extreme toning. Posted a few examples at the links below.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read. ... e=14190015

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read. ... e=14213767

Thanks for saving me some time there. The big advantage of duotone is lower printing cost because the job can run on an older 2-color press only.

Thanks for those links. I'm on the iPhone now, so I'll check later!