Ignorance use to be bliss....

[ldg40]

Such a nightmare! Wasn't sure I get this job, so I did a 10 minute sketch of my idea w/ a watercolor overlay, scanned it and sent it to them. They loved it and chose mine. Then came back with, use only 3 colors. "well, no problem" I say, "what colors would you like?" They choose the ones based on the logo which has no "for sure" colors. And those colors will be hard to do on the overall design. No problem my a**!

I've never done any kind of work that didn't have full color (which this one was suppose to be) or straight grayscale. More stupid questions- Is black and white also a "color"? Could the black be used, but not counted as one, since this t-shirt design will be on a black t-shirt? Can differnet shades of the chosen colors be used? ie: lower opacity etc? Color management is like math to me, I instantly glaze over at the discussion of it. But at this point I am really paying attention!!

I have a Friday am deadline on this one. I am nearly in tears with frustration and ignorance over this. Any help or suggestions would be so appreciated!!

Linda

[PDG]

Black is considered one color.
White is also a separate color.

You could choose to omit black but if it's ever printed on another color it'll look weirdo.

The sketch is COOL!

[ldg40]

Thank you PDG. In your opinion, should I go back to the client and suggest that they choose only one more color, cause blk & wht should be used?

[Scott]

#1) Calm down. No one has ever died because of a tight deadline :)


#2) In silkscreening yes, both black and white can be printed. On a white t-shirt you wouldn't consider white as a color though, it would merely be the shirt showing through. Same holds true for a black shirt. If you're image is to be printed on black, then you'll need to consider white as one of your three colors if there are white areas of the design.

So... based on the existing logo and the fact that it's going to be printed on a black shirt, You'll only be able to use 2 colors from the logo, because you're going to need white to pull off your sketch. Because of the trees, I would assume green would be almost mandatory too. You'll need to figure out how to work out the red and blue areas of your design. or how to pull off your design on a black background with no white at all. Just the solid black of the t-shirt and the red yellow and green of the logo. Te color of the material will always be a "fourth" color because you can just leave holes for it to show through.

If you're doing this in photoshop be aware, delicate gradients and screens may not work well for silkscreening. You're better off with flat colors. Illustrator may be a great option. Here's tutorial on setting up spot colors in Photoshop http://www.weichertcreative.com/tutorials/2color.php

[ldg40]

Wow Jolt..this is some serious, sound advice! And your tutorial! Mind boggling, but I think I could handle it. It would be a bloody shame to do this design in flat colors. But, this seems to be the only end result. Doing it in PS w/flat colors makes the design look just horrible! Just imagine- "I want to wear this shirt today, it will go with my mustard pants and 1980's green flannel".

I did email the client with this dilema. I've talked with some other people who have said that a 3 color vs. a 4 color print job, is not that big a savings. Lord willing they'll choose just black and white with shades of gray. Perhaps in the end, I lose the job...but just think of all I've learned!!

And in response to item #1 of your message- Oh yeah! If anyone can die over a deadline, it would be me!!

Thank you so very much for your time in this matter!! Twice in one day no less!! :)

[Scott]

well.. 3 color vs 4 color isn't a big savings when printing on a press but in silk screening there is savings. Silk screening isn't like just putting ink on a press.

[ldg40]

[QUOTE=Jolt]well.. 3 color vs 4 color isn't a big savings when printing on a press but in silk screening there is savings. Silk screening isn't like just putting ink on a press.[/QUOTE]

Shhhh.... lets not tell anyone else! Perhaps they will succomb to my suggestion! Thanks Jolt!

[swillox]

Little tip: If I was you, I'll let them choose the colors they want, and do this with Pantone...

[ldg40]

Well...here's what I have so far. Swillox- I did just that! They chose black, yellow and green. Using a white t-shirt.

Jolt- I can't get what you said about graidents and screens out of my head. In the below image, how much do you think will be lost in the print job? And what steps do you have to take so that the white will show through?

I can't thank everyone enough for your help on this one!!

[Scott]

Gradients will tend to just STOP once they reach a certain point. You won't get a smooth transition. Where they STOP depends upon the screen. You would be better off using a solid 50% green. Providing the silk screener has no problems with percentage values of a color. Some silkscreeners want only 100% color.

[Dave]

So the only thing you need to do something about is the grass? (Daft suggestion .... make the grassy areas up from lines of green (and white) going from thick to thin to give the effect of a gradient)

BIG question - what on Bob's good earth is a pole barn and why do they want to wear t-shirts? :)

[ldg40]

[QUOTE=Dave]So the only thing you need to do something about is the grass? (Daft suggestion .... make the grassy areas up from lines of green (and white) going from thick to thin to give the effect of a gradient)

BIG question - what on Bob's good earth is a pole barn and why do they want to wear t-shirts? :)[/QUOTE]

Dave I am sooo LMAO!!! And so needed to do so!
Pole Barn description: Welp, round here folks like to build them thar barns out of wooden poles and flimsie-like steel. (Scuse me while I spit out some my chew) Dem dar wooden ones too spensive now..... Then we like to stand round in em,drink beer and tell lies to each other!

I speak from first hand observation, we've two of them. So beloved are these, to all the men around here, that they actualy hold contests. Can you even imagine? Just try to come up with a design for it! And to think, they have the nerve to limit my colors!! (colors chosen: John Deere colors! yuck)

I am currently working on the design, trying to eliminate as much gradient as possible. Dave, your grass suggestion is a good one indeed, thank you.

I'll post a finished one soon. Again, thank you everyone! :)

[Dave]

Ahhh a male bonding thing, I gotcha now :)


Ooh ldg an alternative to lines is spots of green and white decreasing the green spots and increasing the white "space" .... I guess that depends on the fine abilities of the printing device ('dang fangled merchinery to you)

:spit baccy:

[ldg40]

Well, I guess this is it! I am going to submit this as the final work, of coarse I'll let ya'll have a swing at it!

I tried to eliminate as much gradient a possible. But I am still very concern about the gray building. Hmmm....will it all show up? If anyone sees anything "really" wrong- PLEASE say so! Just don't mention the colors- yuckie!!

I couldn't have done this without the aide of all of you. You should all sit back and get a warm fuzzy feeling for saving a fellow PA's butt. I am forever grateful!!

Linda

[Scott]

Seems like it's possible to be Linda. I dont' see anything that definitely wont' work.

Great job!

[ldg40]

I don't care if I ever do an image that needs color separations again, as long as I live!! Why? Cause I have no idea what I am doing here!! As you will note, I have never even done a colorization!! Just do not get get this color thing!

Okay all you genius (you know you are!) is this how it is done?? And if this correct, how do I save it for the printers. Also, some of my colors (say the green) show up as pantone 7483-c, but when you click around on the color, you get different variations of the said color, will this be okay? My special thanks to D2E2 for showing me how to do a screen shot!

[Scott]

it <i>looks</i> correct for the most part Linda. You still need to select all on the CM and Y channels and delete. Those channels should be empty (white).

If it helps, downsample the file to 72ppi and zip it and send it to me (jolt@pixeladdiction.com) and I'll take a closer look.

If this is all you are sending, then sending the psd should be fine. If this needs to go into an illustrator file or a layout fine (Indesign or Xpress) then it needs to be saved as a DCS2.0 (single file color composite).

[ldg40]

Thank you Jolt, it is on its way. Owww...deleting channels, makes my hands sweat to even consider it.

[Scott]

I sent you back corrected files. There are a lot of areas in your color channels that aren't solid (light brush strokes) you'll want to correct those still. I also sent you an illustrator file. It might be easier.

[ldg40]

I sincerely hope that this thread helps anyone else found in my novice postion. I learned more than I ever thought possible with the help of Jolt and PA. Burndog told me once, "make sure you find out how many colors etc, cause it changes everything". And how right he was. But beware, the client will change their minds at the flick of their wrist! In the end on this project alone, I lost my behind...but hopefully more accounts will follow. But, what I learned on this project, is priceless!

My sincere "Thank You's" to everyone. (Linda sighs hugh relief, and has an adult beverage in celebration!):thanx: