For you digital artists handling lineart, here's a file size comparison. I often receive files that aren't flattened and that are in RGB. This is a double-page spread. The artist used LZW compression, but it was in RGB and not flattened, and the file was 65.5MB. 1/a few. Continues... - ThreadSky

matthollingsworth.com • 98 days ago

For you digital artists handling lineart, here's a file size comparison.

I often receive files that aren't flattened and that are in RGB. This is a double-page spread. The artist used LZW compression, but it was in RGB and not flattened, and the file was 65.5MB.

1/a few. Continues...

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matthollingsworth.com•98 days ago

Before sending to my flatter, I converted the file to grayscale and flattened the layers, and using LZW compression, the file reduced in size from 65.5MB to 13.6MB. When you're handling a lot of pages, that difference can quickly add up and fill your hard drive.

2/3 or 4. Continues...

matthollingsworth.com•98 days ago

Even if you prefer your lineart in RGB, flatten those layers. Even if there's only one layer, as in this file, when the file isn't actually flattened, the file size is much bigger. And use LZW compression, which is lossless and will not hurt your art. DO NOT USE JPEGs for print.

3/4

matthollingsworth.com•98 days ago

Jpeg compression is NOT lossless. It's lossy and will damage your art. Save out as a tif instead, to preserve the full quality of your art. I still see inkers using jpeg, including 30 year veterans. Don't do that. Don't fuck up your own art like that.

oferrerons.bsky.social•98 days ago

PNGs are fine, right?

matthollingsworth.com•98 days ago

PNGs are lossless, far as I know, but if you're working for print, you might as well get used to tifs, which are industry standard.

oferrerons.bsky.social•98 days ago

I got curious and I read a bit more about it: both use LZW and support transparency, but PNG only supports RGB and not CMYK. I guess that the choice then is depending on the type of printer (apparently some high-end printers support RGB). For digital uses, PNG would be best (-1 channel).

matthollingsworth.com•98 days ago

I work for print, for Marvel and DC and Image Comics. For print, use a CMYK tif. If you're using a print shop or specialized printer that says you can use RGB, go for it. But every single comic I've worked on, more than 20,000 pages, has been printed from CMYK. Not RGB. Ever. Don't hand in RGB files

chrisohalloran.bsky.social•98 days ago

Had no idea that flattening a single layer would do anything.

matthollingsworth.com•98 days ago

Yup. Reduces file size a decent amount.

chrisohalloran.bsky.social•98 days ago

Mighty. Good to know.

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