[...] there isn’t a lot of space on the jewel case spine for the allocated text. My article on CD Design Tips (on point 7) address’s the issue of getting this critical text positioning [...]

Top Ten CD Cover Design Tips…

Here is my Top Ten CD Cover Design Tips in order of design process. This article is written for an intermediate Photoshop/Illustrator user and upwards, focusing on the technical side of things, so here goes……

It is also best to not use Image>Mode>RGB/CMYK etc, but to use Edit>Convert To Profile which gives you greater control of the conversion. Lab is great too, but best for beginning adjustments and final adjustments in my opinion.

Thanks for the info. I must admit, I’ve only ever read about using LAB color, but never actually used it. This is something I will experiment with when I have chance.

Thanks for your helpful comment and contributing to this article.

Montana

Sorry, but I am a little confused as to your question. However, I will try and offer some info which may answer it (as best I can).

1. I advise you start all work in RGB.
2. When you have done all you need to in RGB, save another version of the file(s) and convert to CMYK.
3. After all is finished, and the client requires changes to a particular layer, go back to the RGB version and start the re-saving process again.

* When saving the CMYK TIFF files, I just stick to 8-bit files, making sure LZW in turned-on (check that the printer accepts LZW compressed files, they should now in 2009), make sure layers are flattened and that no alpha channels remain as they will add to the file size.

Hope this helps

I had designed 3 covers for practise & fun in:
- RGB 8Bit,
- 300 DPI,
- Proof Setup Working CMYK (but no ticked Proof colors/Gamut warning)

Some locals rock bands, asked me to some changes and those covers to be for their upcoming CDs release. I heard that it must be in CMYK mode all the artworks for printing purposes.

My question:
Do I open just my PSD and Image > Mode > From RGB to CMYK as it is, with my layers and their effects etc open? Or I flatten the layers and do that? Because, if I flatten it and moded it in CMYK I see no difference between the RGB version.
Then I export it to TIFF and with what preferences? Can you advice me?

I would be more thankful if you have the time to answer these questions! Best regards A.

I was referring to RGB in a very general sense, so yeah, sRGB IEC61966-2.1 is the one to use for web, as it’s a slightly more compressed color profile than, say, Adobe RGB, which is really intended for image editing, etc.

If web browsers attach sRGB automatically, there wouldn’t really be any color loss, as another RGB would probably have a larger gamut anyway.

You may find my newer posts about RGB/CMYK profiles interesting as well:

http://www.andrewkelsall.com/benefits-designing-rgb-cmyk-print/
http://www.andrewkelsall.com/what-are-color-profiles/

Hope this helps

[...] Top 10 CD Cover Design Tips [...]

Top Ten CD Cover Design Tips : Cover Art setup and Design…

Here are my Top Ten CD Cover Design Tips in order of design process. This article is written for an intermediate Photoshop/Illustrator user and upwards, focusing on the technical side of things, so here goes……

I noticed recently that my regular printer has a color print out that can be purchased to match colors to, so results will be more predictable.

LaurenMarie – Creative Curios last blog post..Enhance Your Designs with the Principle of Unity

Sometimes I will start in CMYK in illustrator, though. I’ve had too many “surprises” when converting RGB -> CMYK there.

It’s hard to say exactly which CMYK profile to go with because Europe and US have different standards. I use US Web Coated (SWOP). When in doubt, ask your printer! Sometimes they will give you specific profiles, too, but in order to use them effectively, you have to calibrate your monitor.

LaurenMarie – Creative Curios last blog post..Enhance Your Designs with the Principle of Unity

I thought I solved the problem when I deactivated Ajax Edit comments. I did some test comments and everything was fine. Now, it’s gone pear-shaped again.

I may try deactivating them one by one to find the culprit, starting with the one you mentioned. Thanks for the advise Rob.

Rob Cubbons last blog post..How to market yourself #5: How to optimize your WordPress site for search engines

BTW, I’m having trouble with comment moderation. All comments are going for approval. I thought I tracked down why, but to no avail. Have you had similar trouble of your WP blog?

I’ve asked on Twitter, searched WP forums, but with still no real answer as yet. Strange…

Oh well, the mystery continues.

Rob Cubbons last blog post..How to market yourself #5: How to optimize your WordPress site for search engines

In a Nutshell, I normally use fogra 27 uncoated/coated for print, and just the bog standard RGB 2.1 for web.

However, there are exceptions. I’ll not go into detail here, as I’m going to write a post about it soon… theres quite a bit to go through.

One bit of advise though, don’t use the Generic CMYK profiles, as results can be unpredictable!

I must say that my knowledge on color profiles is really bad. I never use them. Can you tell me which you use and how you know when to use them?

Rob Cubbons last blog post..How to market yourself #5: How to optimize your WordPress site for search engines

I know Full color and spot color are still OK for some Vinyls…it just theres loads of different types for indoor and outdoor use.

Ie. no full colour, nothing below 10pt?

Alex Charchars last blog post..The Typographic Scale