Author Topic: Grayscale-how many colors maximum . vs. minimum  (Read 2301 times)

Offline Rockers

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 2050
Grayscale-how many colors maximum . vs. minimum
« on: May 26, 2017, 05:08:50 AM »
This would go on white tees.
As usual the client ask for the cheapest option but still wants a good result.
I would love to give him a choice of cheapest, a compromise price and the top drawer option.

Cheers.


Online tonypep

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 5611
Re: Grayscale-how many colors maximum . vs. minimum
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2017, 07:59:51 AM »
My usual formula is highlight/shadow/midtone but that is a tough image. Way too much contrast.

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7785
Re: Grayscale-how many colors maximum . vs. minimum
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2017, 09:03:57 AM »
yeah, the dark areas are going to turn to junk real fast.  I can barely see the one guy's face to begin with.

I agree with tony, we usually do 3 colors.

Offline Sbrem

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 6035
Re: Grayscale-how many colors maximum . vs. minimum
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2017, 10:26:12 AM »
I'd be 2 grays and black, but if I had to, a single black. The image is pretty tough to work with though, it requires some judicious Photoshop work, if there is anything under all the black to work with...

Steve
I made a mistake once; I thought I was wrong about something; I wasn't

Offline Prince Art

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 793
Re: Grayscale-how many colors maximum . vs. minimum
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2017, 10:47:26 AM »
I doubt I'd agree to print the image as-is. I'd pull it into Photoshop & see how it could be tweaked. My first stop is Image>Adjustments>Shadows/Highlights to see how much range/underlying data I've really got to work with. I'd aim to get rid of the "mud" in the dark range, and see how crisp we could get it. For limited color b&w, my approach is always to bring out as much clarity & definition as possible, at the expense of more natural gradients. It ends up a little more stylized, but I think it prints & "reads" better that way.

Disclaimer: I am not widely experienced with high-end photo-realistic printing, and my approach has been tailored to customers who rarely pay for more than 2 inks for such things! I'd fully expect my typical customers to want this done in all black, and to consent to black + 1 grey after I pushed them. I try to give them as clear of an idea as possible of what outcome they'll get based on what they're willing to pay for.
Nice guys laugh last.

Offline blue moon

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6355
Re: Grayscale-how many colors maximum . vs. minimum
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2017, 11:20:47 AM »
there are many ways to skin this cat.
You could do one color and adjust the image so you can stroke twice. This would give you the deeper blacks you need.
Next one would be to print the shadow (black), midtone (gray) and use the shirt for highlights (2 colors total). If the customer is willing to pay for it, this is probably what we would do. It is still a cheap solution, but should be close enough.
For pickier customers, we would add the white next (3 colors total) and finally an additional gray (4 total) if they really wanted it to look as good as possible.
We have done similar jobs with 6 colors before and it won the Golden Image, so it's really up to you how good you need to make it look.

pierre
Yes, we've won our share of awards, and yes, I've tested stuff and read the scientific papers, but ultimately take everything I say with more than just a grain of salt! So if you are looking for trouble, just do as I say or even better, do something I said years ago!

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7785
Re: Grayscale-how many colors maximum . vs. minimum
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2017, 11:33:36 AM »
of course you could always go DTG and adjust it on the fly.  ;)

Offline ZooCity

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4914
Re: Grayscale-how many colors maximum . vs. minimum
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2017, 01:20:52 AM »
Monochrome cheapest.  Budget allowing I like three colors for best reproduction. 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk


Offline Orion

  • !!!
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 763
  • Ain't no shortcuts in screen printing.
Re: Grayscale-how many colors maximum . vs. minimum
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2017, 10:04:58 AM »
I agree with at least three colors for best reproduction. I once saw a b/w print at an SGIA show quite a few years back that was engineered with a six-color count. Does anyone else recall seeing that print of the motor bike and the black leather clad model? Absolutely stunning print!
Dale Hoyal