problem about linear gradient

[paulwynd]

Hi all, I have a big delay with my work for a problem I can't resolve.
I beg your help!http://graphicdesignforum.com/emoticons/worshippy.gif


I'm making a brochure (~ 6000 x 4000 pixels, 24 bpp, 300 dpi).

The main background is made of a linear gradient from #000000 to #254D84 (blu)
with degrees ~ 100 (where 0 is RIGHT and 90 is UP).

Well, at the moment of printing, they called us from the printing office because
the final output was totally ugly: the gradient was not smooth linear,
but it shows visible (and horrible) steps!

The problem doesn't happen in RGB format (well, at least not so much!),
but only when converted in CMYK.

The question is: 'how can we obtain a smooth linear gradient in the final output???'

We tried with PhotoShop, Flash, Freehand, PSP8... but no way!

Here's a URL with an image (resized, of course) but can highlight the problem:
http://www.digix.it/difetto.jpg


Veeeery thanks for any help!

[PrintDriver]

What is your output program?
What is your output destination (I don't recognize the numbers you are using as print colors).

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[D-Frag]

mmmmm banding, gotta love it! lol


http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/13115/Profile_2.jpg

[Ryan8720]

PD, he is using the RGB hex values for web. When you convert from RGB to CMYK it usually isn't pretty. Convert to CMYK and then redo the gradient with CMYK colors.

http://edgewebdesign.org/ryan2.gif (http://www.edgewebdesign.org)

C:\DOS
C:\DOS\RUN
RUN DOS RUN

[D-Zine]

Yeah...I would go with Ryans suggestion too! When you do the hex value it also shows you the CMYK values in most programs too doesn't it? So change it and then try it. :o)

http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/metatag3.jpg

Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

[PrintDriver]

Gotta love you web guys.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[D-Zine]

LOL @ PD!!
Ya know..I always get confused when someone sends me a file 'so and so pixles x so and so pixles'!! I have to convert it to inches or something bc I have NO idea what size blah blah pixles is..know what I mean?! But I haven't really done much of anything with the web..I should someday...I guess :o)

http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/metatag3.jpg

Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

[Ryan8720]

How can you on a computer and not know pixels? lol

http://edgewebdesign.org/ryan2.gif (http://www.edgewebdesign.org)

C:\DOS
C:\DOS\RUN
RUN DOS RUN

[PrintDriver]

Every thing is dpi - dots per INCH.
LOL!

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

Also alot of designers aren't aware of this but when designing gradients you should run a noise filter of around five. This breakes up the perfect color blends and really gets ride of banding. You have to do it in Photoshop and once you print a noised gradient you'll see the diffrence.

http://www.cbcamerica.com/images/webshots/banner-design.jpg
'Adventure, Excitement, A Jedi craves not these things.'
'Anger...fear...aggression. The dark side of the Force are they.'

[D-Zine]

PD - On the money as usual ;o)

ROFLMFAO @ Ryan!! I understand the computer is pixles...but I do PRINT design primarily and I measure in inches...NOT pixles...you don't measure in pixles for print...atleat I don't :o) hehe

http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/metatag3.jpg

Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

[PrintDriver]

Not sure I'd want to run a noised gradient at mural size...
But Illustrator ones sure do suk.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[Ryan8720]

D-Zine said...
PD - On the money as usual ;o)

ROFLMFAO @ Ryan!! I understand the computer is pixles...but I do PRINT design primarily and I measure in inches...NOT pixles...you don't measure in pixles for print...atleat I don't :o) hehe

Well, it was a joke...

But I was just editing a photo for my parents and they were going to take it to Kmart of a CD to get printed (don't laugh). It is very confusing to use inches on a computer. I resized it to 6 x 4 inches and it is still huge (1600 pixels). /emoticons/wacko.gif I just don't get it.

Then whats even funnier is I called Kmart because I wasn't sure what file type to save it as. Well I should of known they wouldn't understand what I was talking about. They just say they put it in 'the machine.' So I saved it as a JPG. lol

http://edgewebdesign.org/ryan2.gif (http://www.edgewebdesign.org)

C:\DOS
C:\DOS\RUN
RUN DOS RUN

[D-Zine]

hehe...LOL @ Ryan! it's so funny to me to hear you talk about it being hard to read inches on the computer!!! I started out in school with paste ups and rubylith...using inches, and then the computer...so its easy for me and most others on here I would assume. But you do mostly web stuff..soo...that explains yer confusion...and of course mine for the pixles...LOL :o)

http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/metatag3.jpg

Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

[Ryan8720]

It is just weird because I expect it to be 6 x 4 inches on the computer screen when I measure it with a ruler. But now that I think about it that wouldn't be because of differences in screen resolution. Oh well, I don't plan on being a print guy.

http://edgewebdesign.org/ryan2.gif (http://www.edgewebdesign.org)

C:\DOS
C:\DOS\RUN
RUN DOS RUN

[Ryan8720]

And another question I have is does the whole world use inches for print? Because I know that normally Canadians use the metric system for measurement (or at least the ones I've talked to).

http://edgewebdesign.org/ryan2.gif (http://www.edgewebdesign.org)

C:\DOS
C:\DOS\RUN
RUN DOS RUN

[D-Frag]

ryan it varies man, I get alot, and I mean alot of files saved in centimeters (metric) but yes, the majority of the USA does all of there stuff for print in inches. And i highly recommend that you understand that if you ever want to get a professional job in graphics. My best friend is a web designer, and when it comes to printing he always calls me up and asks me if his stuff is right. You will find out later that alot of people want there graphics both on web and print to match or have tied in the same aspects of design, if you cant design a website to have parts usable in printing, then how will you draw clientel. Im just saying you should know the best of both worlds, you already seem to understand the web better then most, so maybe try out some printing stuff and get to learning it now, that way when your my age, you can really be the all knowing graphic guy!


This website is my best friend now http://www.w3schools.com/ someday I will be good at web stuff eventually!!


http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/13115/Profile_2.jpg

[OzRod]

Benjo
Thanks heaps for the noise tip. I have always had trouble with banding of my gradient fills when printing off client proofs on my little Hp deskjet. This fix makes all the difference in the world.

[paulwynd]

thank you to all of you!...

some of your hints have been very useful

[PrintDriver]

OzRod - be careful how much noise you add. I'm pretty sure Benjo is talking about large banners here, not magazine size stuff. I've let my print vendors deal with it in large format. They know what looks best on their specific printers.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[OzRod]

PrintDriver- I tried it with a noise level of 1 for a full A4 background I have been putting together for a tri-fold brochure.
It printed with no banding on my Deskjet for the first time.
Should this be any sort of indication of how it would print on a large (read industrial) cymk lazer?
The reason I ask is that the printer is located 800 km from me and I do not have the opportunity to be there to check on the output.
I deal with this printer as they are approx. a third of the price of any local printer and deliver in a max. of 10 days for 50,000 full colour double sided and folded brochures. I have not tried a fountain fill out on them as yet.

SUNSHINE GRAPHIC DESIGN
'Bringing your ideas to light'

If you can print from a Photo Quality Epson and it doesn't band you should be straight. I always ask for match prints is just saves me incase of a disaster.

But Like Print said Noise is something you want to use sparingly. On large format I've used up to 5 percent but on letter size print jobs I hardly use it.

OzRod I’m glad I can help!

http://www.cbcamerica.com/images/webshots/banner-design.jpg
'Adventure, Excitement, A Jedi craves not these things.'
'Anger...fear...aggression. The dark side of the Force are they.'

[PrintDriver]

What you don't want to be seeing is any breakup or lightish color flecks in you solid start/stop tones...
I been playing myself Benjo, thanks, but I'd be real scared to take the responsibility away from my printer on the stuff I get done. If I bone one of those big f*ing prints, we're talking $5K to $10K...

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.