Sending Black and White Files to a Lab for Printing

[sunshine1234]

I want to send Black and White files to a local lab for making neural b/w C-prints. When I asked them the type of file format etc. to provide them for best results this is what they said:

"To get a neutral BW image, convert the image to grayscale first. Then they can convert to a color profile such as sRGB using Relative Colorimetric intent. This will achieve true BW based on the white point of the paper."

Can anyone break this process down for me in detailed, but, layman's terms? 

[cjogo]

Simply DESATURATE the image and send them a RGB -- you want no colour cast to be found. 

[John MacLean]

Even if you supply the lab with essentially greyscale data (using the method they told you), you still run the chance that the images will have color bias shifts depending on the density of the image scene. That is Low Key and High Key shots may likely have different tints of color, and not both be dead on neutral. It's just the nature of the beast with Type C and greyscale.

If you want true B&W from your digital files, check out my friends lab. http://www.weldoncolorlab.com/fiberblackwhite.php

Not cheap, but oh so nice!

[hugowolf]

"To get a neutral BW image, convert the image to grayscale first. Then they can convert to a color profile such as sRGB using Relative Colorimetric intent. This will achieve true BW based on the white point of the paper."

Can anyone break this process down for me in detailed, but, layman's terms? 

Sure, what software are you using to process the images? Are you starting with raw or jpeg?

Brian A

[digitaldog]

"To get a neutral BW image, convert the image to grayscale first. Then they can convert to a color profile such as sRGB using Relative Colorimetric intent. This will achieve true BW based on the white point of the paper."
Can anyone break this process down for me in detailed, but, layman's terms? 

They are telling you they want sRGB (the bit about the rendering intent is moot, you're always going to get a Relative Colorimetric intent). Then as mentioned, Desaturate the image (Hue/Sat, the Desaturate command etc). As also mentioned, unless that lab has a really good profile and process control, it's kind of likely you'll get a print with some color cast unless somehow they are imaging this C print onto B&W paper.

[mouse]

... unless somehow they are imaging this C print onto B&W paper.

Which poses the question: Are there any labs that will image the file directly to B&W paper?

[digitaldog]

Which poses the question: Are there any labs that will image the file directly to B&W paper?

Oh yes. Off hand I believe Pictopia may. But there are labs that can image onto B&W paper.

And then there's just a good Epson with Advanced B&W or ImagePrint.

[John MacLean]

Which poses the question: Are there any labs that will image the file directly to B&W paper?

Yes, see the link in my previous post.