CS1: CMYK values not reflecting Pantone Color Bridge

[jamanoid]

Until I upgrade to the current CS, I need the correct Pantone 11 C (Cool Gray) that reflects the Color Bridge CMYK formula (the CS values aren't even close: 0/2/0/68) so what I did was create a new swatch with 48/36/24/66, named it Pantone Cool Gray 11 C and converted to Spot Color.

Is this a legitimate work-around?

Thanks!

[CkretAjint]

Photoshop CS3 gives me the break down as C-67 M-59 Y-53 K-34

Hope this helps! :D

[GraphixNPrint]

jamanoid... check with your printer of what is acceptable.

I recently had a client that wanted spot colors (we normally only run full color process). Since we are outsourcing this job I worked up the artwork in illy and created my own swatches, as you did. When finished I output to Acrobat and ran a preflight with results looking ok.

I then sent the file to our outsource printer and asked if all was ok or should I make corrections...

I got a call shorly thereafter and told it was good to go. So off to print we go. Now back to full color process cause I hate working with spot colors! :)

[jamanoid]

Hmmm? well that's not consistent with the current Pantone guide.

[CkretAjint]

As long as the printer knows what to print it in the end you could make it neon pink if you want. They won't like the files when they get them, but it's do-able.

That's what Photoshop gives me as the break down... *shrugs*

[jamanoid]

The comapny (in Taiwan) that's going to print our logos on the plastic product case wants PMS colors.

If you have Illustrator CS3, do me a favor and call-up the Pantone Coated swatch for 11 C.... what are the CMYK values?

Adobe was suppose to update the values per pantone's new Color Bridge.

Thanks!

[CkretAjint]

If they want PMS colors, then you just give them the Cool Gray 11 C swatch and they will print it... It will always look different on screen cause of the ink to light convertion. Nothing you can do about that. I guess I am loosing site as to teh issue at hand, it is what it is. If you don't like the color, change the swatch...

The Illustrator CS3 break down is the same as your original one. 0/2/0/68

[GraphixNPrint]

When I check mine for Pantone Cool Grey 11C I get the Lab equivelent of 42 0 -3

CMYK 62,53,48,20

HSB 223,6,41

if it helps

PS... Mine is set for US SWOP Coated

[DesignerScott]

go to pantone.com, register and download their adobe bridge swatches. It has an installer for all the adobe apps.
It's a long-time frustration for me too, and not many people know to do this, including the printshop I used to work for.

[budafist]

My Pantone Solid to Process Guide (first edition) tells me that Cool Gray 11 is 80% K and nothing else. That's a huge variation.

[GraphixNPrint]

My Pantone Solid to Process Guide (first edition) tells me that Cool Gray 11 is 80% K and nothing else. That's a huge variation.

Wow... 80% black and nothing else would be black, just not as rich... hmmm..

[PrintDriver]

If they ask for pantone colors
APPLY THE CORRECT SWATCH!
Don't guess at the CMYK mix. Especially since it sounds like a screening job (printing on plastic most often is). They need to be able to match to a swatch, not some silly formula that varies depending on what media you are printing to and what stupid Pantone book you pick up.

If I requested PMS numbers to print and received a file with a bunch of CMYK mixes in it, I wouldn't know the mix for CG11 from CG3! This kind of file is a nightmare. I'm looking for a Pantone number that I can rip a chip for.

[doubting_thomas]

The comapny (in Taiwan) that's going to print our logos on the plastic product case wants PMS colors.
It makes no sense why you'd build this swatch when Illustrator has
it in it's library, and that's what the printer wants.

[jamanoid]

Thanks DS!

[GraphixNPrint]

in case you didn't know, you can go to Window > Swatch Libraries and pick the appropriate Pantone library

[budafist]

Wow... 80% black and nothing else would be black, just not as rich... hmmm..

I've got a printed sample of both swatches Cool Grey 11 and K=80% beside each other in this guide. They are very close. Would be interesting to see the printed samples of all the other values that people have been suggesting to compare to the spot colour.

If I hold it a foot away from my eyes there is no difference. Any closer and you can start to see the dots because it's only a black screen on one and solid on the other.

I think it is safe to say the colour or tone is the same, but it is let down by the dots. Now if you could water down black ink to 80% and print it solid instead of a 80% screen, it would be wonderful.

[jamanoid]

The Pantone swatch library in Illustrator CS is not current with the latest Pantone Color Bridge that I work with. I realize that CMYK values of a Pantone color are useless for PMS printing, but I just wanted some consistency within the artwork file when it's converted for other printing needs.

[urstwile]

You're going to get a shift no matter what you do. That's why most people who go so far as to make identity guidelines define what the appropriate (or acceptable) CMYK mix equivalent is for their identity color.

For the purposes of the printer in Taiwan, you should send them the file using the PMS swatch, that's what they want, after all. I'd then suggest you work with a local printer to come up with acceptable values of CMYK for process color instances, or get a hold of your own spot to process conversion book and go from there.

Arrrgh, Pantone is very frustrating to work with when you need applications that use CMYK, IMO.