Learning how to separate grayscale images in Photoshop can greatly increase your value as a color separator. Fortunately, it’s actually a lot easier than most people think!

In this tutorial, I’ll take you from start to finish and show you exactly how I do my grayscale separations. I guarantee you’ll get some valuable tips and tricks along the way.

Hopefully, this will show you guys how to separate your own grayscale images. And perhaps open your shops up to accepting jobs you may have shied away from in the past.

So without further ado, here’s my video tutorial on:

How To Separate Grayscale Images in Photoshop

How To Separate Grayscale Images in Photoshop Watch this video on YouTube

Separate Grayscale Images in Photoshop Quick Reference Guide

Start by saving a working file and keep your original intact. Check your resolution. 200dpi at final print size is fine. Make sure to have your info palette open while separating to check ink coverage. Make your tee channel and set it to 100% opacity. Set your base channel opacity to emulate what your particular base is going to do once printed. Try grabbing your base using an existing channel, then pull back the edges with a levels adjustment. Don’t print the base underneath your darkest grays and only put a little bit (30%-60%) underneath your mid to light grays. Transfer your selected colors from your original image to your channels using the # value. Soften up your edges between colors using a brightness contrast image adjustment. Keep your coverage light. Remember, it’s easier to hit the screen twice than it is to pull back an already heavy print. Shortcut Keys Used in This Tutorial Cmd+backspace to fill background color. Opt+backspace to fill foreground color. Shift+backspace to open fill dialog box. Cmd+click on thumbnail in palette to get selection. Cmd+D to deselect. Download the File Complete With My Seps Grab your own copy of the file to follow along with the video and print up your own version or use my seps and print from those!