EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is a vector graphics format particularly associated with Adobe Illustrator, but also compatible with other graphics design software, such as Corel Draw. The format uses the PostScript page description language and includes or “encapsulates” a low-resolution preview, which can be displayed by some programs.

Printing EPS files requires a machine which supports PostScript. For best results in terms of rendering colors and shapes from screen to paper, EPS images should be converted to CMYK color space before printing. In other words, the combination of colors used for representing the image should be changed from the primary colors of light — Red-Green-Blue (RGB), which is typical for TVs, computers and other types of backlit monitors — to the primary colors of pigment — Cyan-Magenta-Yellow and Key/Black, which is more suitable for the printed paper.

Converting to CMYK before printing allows you to preserve the image’s natural brightness and make sure the colors you see on screen match the ones you will find on paper. While some people think that converting to CMYK requires an advanced graphics editor, such as Corel Draw, Quark Express or Adobe Photoshop, with reaConverter you can handle the process in no more than 3 easy steps.

Install reaConverter

How does it work?

Load one or more EPS images into reaConverter. Browse manually to find them or use the drag-and-drop tool.

In case you have to deal with large quantities of images of various formats, reaConverter helps you save time using the Advanced file select option, by which you can automatically select all EPS files from a folder that includes several other extensions as well.

Image editing

Optionally, go to the Edit images tab and pick one or more of the available features.

Many of them allow you to use reaConverter as an advanced graphics editor, facilitating color adjustment, cropping, resizing or stylizing options — to name just a few!

The effect of these changes can be checked in real time if you tick the Preview box in the upper right side of the window.

Start conversion

In the Saving options section, decide where and how you want to save the output EPS images. reaConverter allows you to save in the source folder, a subfolder or another location of your choice.

Finally, click on the EPS button on the lower part of the window to set the extension of the output files. Then move the pointer on the button and click the Settings icon, placed on its upper left side.

You can also reach this location by following this path: Menu → Saving settings → Format saving settings. In the new window, tick Save EPS/PS in CMYK color space.

Then simply press Start and your converted files will soon be ready!

Video Tutorial

Advanced users can convert EPS to CMYK with command line interface or DLL in manual, automated or scheduled mode. You are welcome to contact our technical support when you have any questions about reaConverter.

Comparing the quality of an image you see on a computer monitor with the one of its printed version might often leave you disappointed, especially if you are using a regular home printing device. Whether it is a PDF, a JPEG or TIFF, the problem persists. The image that looked bright and clear on your backlit screen somehow became faded and darkened once it came out of your printer.

CMYK color space

Did you ever wonder why there can be such a significant difference between the digital version of an image and its printed copy? The answer is simple: the image you see on your computer uses the RGB (Red-Green-Blue) color space coding, while the printed one uses CMYK (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow and Key/Black). In other words, the two images are recreated using a different combination of basic colors. RGB is the standard for rendering an image on backlit monitors — including TVs, computers and tablets, while CMYK is typical for printed paper renderings.

For best results on print, you should convert to PDF with CMYK color space. This helps preserve the vivid aspect of colors, the fine rendering of shapes, and overall sharpness and clarity of the image. reaConverter allows you to convert a wide range of image extensions to PDF with CMYK color space, thus helping you improve the quality of your printed images. And it works in no more than a few clicks. Even when you have to deal with batch conversions!

Install reaConverter

How does it work?

Download and install reaConverter. Start it and in reaConverter’s main window, click the Add files button and manually browse through your computer in search of what you need to convert.

You can also use the Drag-and-drop tool to do this. Or try the Add folder option or Advanced file select. The latter allows you to automatically add only a selected number of extensions from a folder, including/excluding its subfolders.

Edit images

Optionally, go to the Edit images tab and check one or more actions to apply to your images. reaConverter offers an impressive number of editing features, letting you process the image as you would on an advanced editing software.

Auto-Cropping, auto rotate, resizing and watermarking are just some of the available options.

Save the result

In the Saving options tab, pick the destination folder — which can be offline, in a local folder, or online, using one of the supported cloud storage websites.

Next, pick PDF as the output format, from the buttons placed in the lower part of the window. After selecting the button, go to the Settings icon placed on its upper left corner. You can also reach this window by following this path: Menu → Saving settings → Format saving settings → PDF

Here you will find a number of customized features, which include saving the PDF file in CMYK color space. Tick the appropriate box, the OK button and then go straight to Start.

Your printer-ready files will be done in just a few moments.

Video Tutorial

Command line and DLL

Developers can include this feature when creating a customized solutions by operating it via command-line, using the following code line:
cons_rcp.exe -s "rgb_file.pdf" -o "cmyk_file.pdf" -pdf_save_in_cmyk 1

Advanced users can convert PDF to CMYK color space with command line interface or DLL in manual, automated or scheduled mode. You are welcome to contact our technical support when you have any questions about reaConverter.

Preserving Image Quality from Screen to Paper

Have you ever tried to print an image from your computer and then realized its reproduction in print is significantly different from what you saw on screen? That happened most likely because on screen you saw an RGB image, while on print you saw a CMYK one. Both names represent color models or the combinations of nuances and shades which create the image you see on screen or on paper.

RGB stands for Red-Green-Blue, and it implies that various combinations of these primary colors are used to produce the image you seen on a light emitting monitor, such as a TV or a computer. Because paper does not produce light, it needs a different model for combining colors, called CMYK, which stands for Cyan-Magenta-Yellow and Key (Black).

As you might have noticed yourself when printing a photograph on your home printer, for example, there are a few differences between how the RGB and CMYK images look like. Because your RGB computer screen uses light to recreate colors, images tend to look a lot brighter than they do when you print them in CMYK. Depending on the shades you use, the image on paper can vary significantly from the one on screen.

Hence, if you are using computer design professionally or if you are simply keen on having an accurate reproduction in print of the image stored on an electronic device, you need to convert your RGB image into CMYK before printing. Though you might notice the CMYK image doesn’t look as good as the RGB one on screen, trust me, it will look a lot better on print!

The best way to manage the conversion of your RGB images to CMYK is to download and install a piece of software such as reaConverter, which features a user-friendly interface and a fast and easy way to transform your images. Then simply select the image you want to convert from your computer, go to the main menu and select Saving settings → Format saving settings → JPG → Color model.

reaConverter also allows for batch conversion, in case you plan to prepare several images for print, as well as a large variety of options for editing your images. For example, you can rotate or mirror your images, add effects or text watermark, adjust brightness and many other features. Plus, you can use this software for doing the reversed conversion – CMYK to RGB.

And here is one final tip for a smooth handling of your conversion. When you plan to convert a CMYK image with a .jpg file extension into an RGB image with a .jpg extension, keep in mind that the default color model for JPEG is YCbCr. This stands for a coding system used in connection to RGB. So when you take your image from the printing office in CMYK and plan to use on your home computer in RGB, the best thing to do is to select YCbCr in your JPG color model menu (see above), not RGB. This will ensure a better quality conversion of the input image into the output JPEG.

Video tutorial

Advanced users can do the same using command line utility in manual, automated or scheduled mode. You are welcome to contact our technical support when you have any questions about reaConverter.