Syllabus (Overview)

1. Purpose of Workbook
to present the fundamentals of color separation, and to describe and demonstrate the software tools required to create superior digital images for process color offset reproduction

2. Instructional Objectives
    a. ability to calibrate monitor and scanner
    b. know fundamentals of process color reproduction
    c. understand CMYK color correction methodology

3. Instructional Topics
    a. Discussion of Digital Prepress Responsibilities
    b. Resolution, File Types, and File Sizes
    c. Device Calibration (Monitor and Scanner)
    d. Halftones and Duotones
    e. Process-Color Theory and Separation Setup
    f. Gray Balance and Digital Adjustment Tools
    g. Target Colors and Flesh Tones
    h. Avoidable Hazards and Common Errors

 

Syllabus for 3 Classroom Sessions

Use of the workbook as an overview of CMYK image preparation for offset reproduction is divided into three primary areas:
     1. Digital prepress theory, device calibration, and Photoshop's tonal adjustment tools
     2. Offset image reproduction, halftone correction, color separation setup
     3. Color correction tools, digital color values and relationships, flesh tones

Class 1
Discussion of past and present prepress technical responsibilities; definition of image resolution, common digital image file types, JPG to TIF conversion procedure; monitor calibration (brightness, contrast, and gamma); measurement of digital values with Photoshop's Eyedropper Tool and Information Palette, CMYK color theory; tonal adjustment tools (Levels and Curves) and applications; scanner calibration theory and techniques. (Pages 1-18)

Class 2
Halftone theory, screen frequencies and DPI requirements; basic types of images and tonal correction techniques; duotone definition, conversion, and examples; process color theory, RGB and CMYK gamut, definition of middle gray; color separation setup in Photoshop, custom settings for Black Generation, Black Ink Limit, Total Ink Limit, separations for specific uses. (Pages 19-32)

Class 3
Color correction and importance of gray balance, printing whites and shadows, middle tone balance and placement; color adjustment tools (Hue/Saturation and Selective Color), application methods and examples; target colors and importance of color relationships; major color groups (Reds, Greens, Blues, Yellows, Browns, Whites, Grays, Blacks), their CMYK composition and digital values; flesh tones (African, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic) and their digital composition and target values; image sharpening, explanation of unsharp mask parameters, determination of unsharp mask settings and suggested values; avoidable hazards and common errors (discussion); technical terminology (review). (Pages 33-53)

Additional Lab Classes
Device calibration (monitor and scanner)
RGB to CMYK Separation Setup
Halftone and Color Correction Exercises Reference
All images referenced in the Exercises are contained on the CD

Syllabus for 6 Classroom Sessions

Use of the workbook as a detailed explanation of CMYK image preparation for offset reproduction is divided into six primary areas:
     1. Digital prepress responsibilities, monitor calibration, file types and conversion
     2. Photoshop's measurement and tonal adjustment tools, scanner calibration
     3. Halftone and process color theory, types of images and correction techniques
     4. Color separation setup, working spaces, custom CMYK separation settings
     5. Gray balance, color correction tools, target color digital values, flesh tones
     6. Image sharpening, hazards and errors, terminology, review of exercises

Class 1
Discussion of past and present prepress technical responsibilities, technical issues and effective design, limitations of technology; definition of image resolution by device, common digital image file types, file size relative to resolution and print size, interpolation, JPG to TIF conversion procedure; monitor calibration (brightness, contrast, and gamma); viewing conditions and ambient light. (Pages 1-7)

Class 2
Measurement of digital values with Photoshop's Eyedropper Tool and Information Palette, CMYK color theory, digital color compositions and content relationships; tonal adjustment tools (Levels and Curves), adjustments, and applications; scanner types, quality, and resolution, calibration theory and methodology, fine adjustment techniques. (Pages 8-18)

Class 3
Halftone theory, screen frequencies and DPI requirements, halftone aim points, middle tone dot placement; basic types of images and tonal correction techniques; duotone definition, conversion, and examples; process color theory, RGB and CMYK gamut, ink color contamination, definition of and values for CMYK middle gray; (Pages 19-29)

Class 4
Color separation setup dialog in Photoshop, working spaces; custom CMYK separation settings; explanation of Black Generation, Black Ink Limit, Total Ink Limit; default dot gain values for paper types; separations for specific uses. (Pages 30-32)

Class 5
Color correction and importance of gray balance, target CMYK values for neutrals, printing whites and shadows, middle tone balance and placement; color adjustment tools (Hue/Saturation and Selective Color), application methods and examples; target colors and importance of color relationships; major color groups (Reds, Greens, Blues, Yellows, Browns, Whites, Grays, Blacks), their CMYK composition and digital values; flesh tones (African, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic) and their digital composition and target values; (Pages 33-47)

Class 6
Explanation of image sharpening, details of unsharp mask parameters, effect of unsharp mask on image content, determination of unsharp mask settings and suggested values; avoidable hazards and common errors (discussion); technical terminology (review). (Pages 48-53)

Additional Lab Classes
Device calibration (monitor and scanner)
RGB to CMYK Separation Setup
Halftone and Color Correction Exercises
All images referenced in the Exercises are contained on the CD