By Ann Martin
CompuTrain Computer Services & Training

   We all have seen wonderful duotone and quadtone images throughout the print world.  Magazines, books, catalogues, posters, signs, and even television and the Internet sport these interesting shaded images. Unless you are involved with the printing industry, you most likely will not understand it if your Printer makes a squinted face at your request of a specific matching color for your duotone printing needs.  There are close to 1000 PANTONE-identified colors available for a single duotone job.  It is simply impossible to guess what shade of "purple" the customer is trying to verbally describe.
   PANTONE Colors and Black Studio Edition Duotone Guide for Adobe Photoshop to the rescue!  This 5-CD reference kit includes 944 PANTONE-identified colors specifically formulated onto 11,328 Photoshop duotone curves. This kit helps to standardize the way in which duotone color is applied.  In essence, these tools are comparable to having templates to apply to the print job.  This dramatically reduces the frustration of having to adjust and readjust duotones again and again in order to obtain that perfect product.  This kit virtually eliminates last minute surprises and obtains consistent results.
   The kit bridges the gap of communication between printer and customer.  The use of "printer lingo" can obscure customer understanding of certain processes and outcomes. Your customers will appreciate using the two  "Duotone Guides" that are included in this kit. The guides allow the customer to see first-hand the 600 duotone effect curves that are illustrated on these 150-page guides. The finished product does not shock the customer if he has had a peek at the guides in advance.  Some customers may decide they do not want a duotone effect after all. It will cost much less to find that out before printing occurs. 
   The kit is used with Adobe Photoshop while in duotone mode. Each "Duotone Guide" is a 150-page fan guide that is indexed by PANTONE Color numbers.   The 11,328 duotone curves are on 5-CDs. Select the PANTONE-identified color number you with to use, load the CD with the corresponding number, and then apply the Photoshop curve!  It is that easy.
   Along with the CDs and the guides, T. Peery of Pickerbook publishing has included many helpful tips.  Peery, who is a graphic designer as well, knows of the difficulties of duotone printing.  He has also included a quick start guide that allows you to jump in and produce quality results immediately.
   If you are looking for consistent duotone printing with minimal frustration, I highly recommend these Photoshop tools. This kit is helpful for anyone who produces duotone graphics, whether they are to be printed or remain digital.

   Link to the Duotone Studio Web Site.