Need CMYK Output for Print: I use Lightroom 6 to process my RAW images. (I do not have Photoshop.) I also manage my folders with Nikon ViewNX. Last year I changed from Shutterfly to...

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

I use Lightroom 6 to process my RAW images. (I do not have Photoshop.) I also manage my folders with Nikon ViewNX.
Last year I changed from Shutterfly to Vistaprint for my calendars, but was very disappointed with the resulting flat, dull images. I ended up with a credit, so this year I asked Vistaprint's customer service what I could do to get better images and was told to be sure I exported in CMYK and not sRGB. Now my goose seems to be cooked because I don't have that option in either program.
Is there any way to convert to CMYK without buying some new software?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

See if saving it as a TIFF allows selection of CMYK format?

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Longshadow wrote:

See if saving it as a TIFF allows selection of CMYK format?

I tried TIFF, PSD, etc., to see what color spaces were offered, but still no CMYK. Bummer, that sounded promising. Thanks for offering the suggestion, Longshadow!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

dmeyer wrote:

I tried TIFF, PSD, etc., to see what color spaces were offered, but still no CMYK. Bummer, that sounded promising. Thanks for offering the suggestion, Longshadow!

I suppose your printer (company) has no means to convert the files.
Different color spaces WILL render images differently!

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

dmeyer wrote:

I use Lightroom 6 to process my RAW images. (I do... (show quote)

CMYK is a mode, not a color space. But I was taught that a CMYK conversion is dependent on what kind of printing equipment is used, and that the printer should make the conversion based on his printing equipment.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

JohnSwanda wrote:

CMYK is a mode, not a color space.
...

Color model, color space. Hmmm. not mentioned as a mode, but RGB is mentioned as a color mode.
RGB is a color model also.
Maybe we should quit using the phrase 'color space' and just use 'color model'?

Or, we can be less picky with multiple descriptors that are acceptable, ie. mode, model, color space.
Maybe use the one that is most prevalent? Wait, that would be color space.

https://99designs.com/blog/tips/correct-file-formats-rgb-and-cmyk/

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Longshadow wrote:

I suppose your printer (company) has no means to convert the files.
Different color spaces WILL render images differently!

The customer service rep stated that they can make no adjustments or conversions. They have a more user friendly program for calendars than Shutterfly, IMO, if you are going for a clean background, so it would have been nice to use them again.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

JohnSwanda wrote:

CMYK is a mode, not a color space. But I was taught that a CMYK conversion is dependent on what kind of printing equipment is used, and that the printer should make the conversion based on his printing equipment.

'Color Space' is the heading for the drop down options in LR6. For some reason, unlike Shutterfly who makes adjustments to images, Vistaprint does not. I do like VP's calendar paper stock weight and design program better, though.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Longshadow wrote:

Color model, color space. Hmmm. not mentioned as a mode, but RGB is mentioned as a color mode.
RGB is a color model also.
Maybe we should quit using the phrase 'color space' and just use 'color model'?

Or, we can be less picky with multiple descriptors that are acceptable, ie. mode, model, color space.
Maybe use the one that is most prevalent? Wait, that would be color space.

https://99designs.com/blog/tips/correct-file-formats-rgb-and-cmyk/

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

“Conversion to CMYK needs to be done in Photoshop. When you're done working on your master file (either in Lightroom or Photoshop), make sure to save it, then convert to CMYK as part of your process of generating the derivative file. You can do this my choosing Image > Color Mode > CMYK.

https://www.photographyessentials.net/converting-photos-to-cmyk-for-publication/

--Bob

dmeyer wrote:

I use Lightroom 6 to process my RAW images. (I do... (show quote)

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

I can’t imagine they don’t/won’t do the conversion as part of their regular process. Both companies rely on the average consumer for the majority of their business. Most people don’t ever have a need, use or knowledge about color spaces. If their quality is poor, go elsewhere.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Tomfl101 wrote:

I can’t imagine they don’t/won’t do the conversion as part of their regular process. Both companies rely on the average consumer for the majority of their business. Most people don’t ever have a need, use or knowledge about color spaces. If their quality is poor, go elsewhere.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

“Conversion to CMYK needs to be done in Photoshop." Bob speaks with wisdom here, albeit there are many variants of CMYK. You'll need to have your printer provide precisely which variant they use.

Also "Color Proof" in CMYK is not as straightforward as a novice would prefer. There is indeed a learning curve here.

dmeyer Lightroom is not a high end post processing application... Albeit it is a stellar "Cataloging" tool
If you want to come over to the "Dark Side" of commercial photography you'll likely need to master Photoshop.
And I'm only the messenger here...

All the best on your photographic journey dmeyer

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

dmeyer wrote:

I use Lightroom 6 to process my RAW images. (I do... (show quote)

Vistaprint offers design services so they should be able to evaluate your images and tell you what is wrong. Vistaprint does my calendars every year and they do a fantastic job. I just went to my account and I have always sent them appropriately sized jpgs. My files were rgb. The resulting calendars have been absolutely first class. Your issue demands further investigation.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

DebAnn wrote:

Vistaprint offers design services so they should be able to evaluate your images and tell you what is wrong. Vistaprint does my calendars every year and they do a fantastic job. I just went to my account and I have always sent them appropriately sized jpgs. My files were rgb. The resulting calendars have been absolutely first class. Your issue demands further investigation.

I'm in agreement. The sRGB JPEGs should be fine. It would help if our OP attached one image used last year, storing the attachment, so more eyes can look at the image.

I've used Vistaprint only once for photographer business cards. They came out great. No special processing beyond what I'd do for any JPEG being sent to print.

Seeing this post last evening I went to their website. There's no reference to using CMKY in the entire upload / design process of a calendar. But, if you get into the FAQs, you can find the recommendation to use CMKY. That's buried pretty deep for a 'recommendation', particularly one that involves specialize software to create that format file.