Color Separation Problems

:confused: Hello, I'm having problems. I have been getting more and more artwork (logos) from a client, that needs to be opened in PhotoShop 6, so I can change the colors, change a date, ect. They are usually 2 to 3 color, PMS spot colors. Then I place the logo in PageMaker 6.5 (just updated to 7 and starting to work with that). When I go to print or send to plate maker the colors in the layout in PageMaker and the colors in the artwork from PhotoShop don't separate together, they don't match up. The PhotoShop artwork separates as CMYK instead of spot color or doesn't show up at all. Have I confused you yet? I guess I need to know if I'm doing something wrong in PhotoShop 6 when I pick colors. How do I make sure it's a spot color?
Thanks,
Sue

Photoshop converts any of the spot colors to CMYK. If you are working in Photoshop primarily and you need to use under 4 colors, one trick is to make Each spot color a 100% cmyk color, then you tell the printer you want that color to be this spot color.
That is a pretty common work around when using photoshop.

example. You have 2 spot colors (spot1, spot2)

You create the image using 2 colors, 100% black, and 100% magenta (u can also use yellow or cyan.) So now you have this hideous color combination of magenta and black. Tell your printers, what you see as black will be spot1 and magenta = spot2.
The purpose of this is when you seperate the cmyk you will have the image on two films and the other two will be blank and discarded.

Oh yeah and also you would do the same in Pagemaker to make them match up. Use the same two temporary colors as substitutes for the spot colors.

Thanks Marble,
That's what I have been doing. But first the client needs to see a proof. Can't show them the hideous color combo, so after its approved, I have to "save as", make new artwork, I was just hoping there was a easier way.
Thanks,
Sue

There are a few here that have alot of print experience, Utopian does so you might want to ask him.... I liked print work, but at times it was pretty irritating. There always seemed to be some sort of issue that you had to work out. Good luck =)

How do I find Utopian? Is it possible to just send him our posts?
This is great - work related chat - almost!
Thanks Marble!
Sue

Go to the member list on the top nav and under "u" is
Utopian23.

He browses these boards alot so he might see the post today....

The only truly accurate way to give your client a proof is to have the printer do a quick sample run - it's expensive and a pain in the butt - however, you can try to set up a time for you and your client to meet to see the results, or even take them to the press if that's possible.

Otherwise, you are only adding more variables. Let's say your monitor isn't calibrated, then there's the Mac / PC thing, differences in substrates, lighting...and on and on and on.

Here's what I do: Print one from Photoshop. Get as close as humanly possible to what they want (maybe print 5 versions and have the client pick one they like best) - Provide that to the printer as a color target. Then, the stress is on the printer, not you. Let the ink guy work with adding 6% cyan or taking out 3% black. It's what the printer does ... You're the designer - design.

*note: Graphicsguy realizes this is all easier said than done, and wishes you the best of luck achieving great results and hopes all your clients are super satisfied with your work.

Yeah i dont think i ever sent anything to a printer where it wasn't stated to include a print out copy. That is definitely a must. Some forms of proofing arent too much, but you have to figure that into cost or you will lose money, and I always go through several 'in house' proofs before I request a proof from the printers, basically making sure the lay out and fonts, etc. are exactly what the client wants, then the colors can be worked out with the printers.

I was just wondering if anybody had any help for my first question. I don't have any problem with the proofs because the colors I'm using are pms spot colors, picked by the client.
Thanks,
Sue