Quick links to procedures on this page:

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To convert an image to the duotone color mode
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To specify how overprint colors display

Converting images to the duotone color mode

Duotone color mode is used for specialized color printing. A duotone image is a grayscale image that has been enhanced with the addition of one to four colored inks. The following list describes the duotone types:

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monotone — a grayscale image colored with a single ink
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duotone — a grayscale image colored with two inks. In most cases, the first ink is black and the other ink is colored.
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tritone — a grayscale image colored with three inks. In most cases, the first ink is black and the second and third inks are colored.
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quadtone — a grayscale image colored with four inks. In most cases, the first ink is black and the second, third, and fourth inks are colored.
Adjusting tone curves

When you convert an image to the duotone color mode, a tone curve grid that represents the dynamic ink curves that are used throughout the conversion is displayed. The horizontal plane (x-axis) displays the 256 possible shades of gray in a grayscale image (0 is black; 255 is white). The vertical plane (y-axis) indicates the intensity of an ink (from 0 to 100 percent) that is applied to the corresponding grayscale values.

Saving and loading inks for duotone conversion

After you choose a duotone type and adjust the tone curves for the inks used to change images to the duotone color mode, you can save the ink settings and load them for use with other images.

Specifying how overprint colors display

When you change an image to the duotone color mode, you can specify which colors will overprint when you print an image. Overprint colors are the colors that have too much ink when two or more colors overlap. When you display the image, each color is applied on the screen in sequence, creating a layered effect.

You can view all instances in which the ink colors you choose overlap. Associated with each instance is the color that is produced by the overlap. You can also choose new overprint colors to see how they overlap.

To convert an image to the duotone color mode Back to Top
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Click Image Convert to Duotone (8-bit).
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Click the Curves tab.
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Click a duotone type from the Type list box.
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Double-click an ink color in the Type window.
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In the Select color dialog box, click a color, and click OK.
If you want to adjust the color's tone curve, click the ink tone curve on the grid to create a node, and drag the node to adjust the amount of color at that point on the grid.

You can also
 
Display all the ink tone curves on the grid
Enable the Show all check box.
Save the ink settings
Click Save. Choose the folder where you want to save the file with the new settings, and type a filename.
Specify how overprint colors display
Click the Overprint tab, and enable the Use overprint check box. Double-click the color you want to edit, and choose a new color.

You can load ink settings by clicking the Curves tab, clicking Load, locating the file where the ink settings are stored, and double-clicking the filename.
To specify how overprint colors display Back to Top
1
 
Click Image Convert to Duotone (8-bit).
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Click the Overprint tab.
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Enable the Use overprint check box.
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Double-click the color that you want to edit.
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In the Select color dialog box, choose a color model from the Model list box, click a color, and click OK.
If you want to preview the new overprint color, click Preview.

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