Digital BW, The Print

I just received my 3rd book back from Blurb. This last book contained a mix
of color, sepia toned (sRGB) as well as black & white images (again sRGB).
The quality of the print of all image types was great; and match quite
closely to the images I created in CS5. The color image on my cover had the
flesh tones a little too red but good enough for my first pass.
 
I chatted with their Tech Support people last week and their advice was to
ensure the B&W images had sufficient contrast, so taking their advice I gave
a boost to the contrast by creating a contrast curve. The book contained B&W
images converted using Silver EFX Pro and tweaked in CS5 and converted to
sRGB color space. Others were scans of 6x6cm negatives, scanned as RGB into
CS5, converted to sRGB; they all looked good.
 
My book was made up in Oregon and the turnaround time was very quick,
uploaded the book last Friday and was delivered to California yesterday. Not
sure where your book was made but maybe it is a set up issue at your
location?
 
Now in mid production of my 4th book, as you can gather I am rather pleased
with the finished product.
 
Mike
 

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From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of KentB
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 2:13 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Blurb and B&W


  

Hi Folks

I have had a bit of an issue with Blurb printing, and am wondering if anyone
has suitable solutions to my issues. Blurb unfortunately says that B&W is a
big problem for them...but I refuse to believe great B&W cannot be
accomplished.

Blurbs recommendation is sending a totally greyscale image to the press. The
output is good, but lifeless. Strikes me it should be possible to get great
toned images from Blurb.

I tried using rgb curves then sending it to the press to get a subtle tone.
OK, blurb runs seem to vary dramatically...so one book will be cool and one
book warm.

My next attempt will be to go to Duotone and then Convert to CMYK. Anyone
have any experience sending a Duotone to Blurb?

I know, I know...Blurb may never be anything as nice as a Quadtone press.
But I know they do have a great press capable of decent output. I am looking
to get the optimal B&W workflow for Blurb.

Thanks

Phil






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