Converting to CMYK is one of the most destructive things you can do to your RGB file. In this week’s free Deke’s Techniques episode, Deke reveals a method that maintains the original luminance data of your file while preparing it for your commercial printer.

So, if you’re commercially reproducing an image, watch this video to acquire Deke’s direct color-space alchemical knowledge. If your images are mostly intended for the web or your local inkjet printer, then store this one away, for now.

But if your work is destined for commercial print, then be sure to check out this week’s exclusive video at lynda.com, in which Deke explains how to rein in excessive ink in the shadows so that your print job remains printer-safe. Not yet a member of lynda.com? You can get a free week’s trial at lynda.com/deke then head over to the entire collection of Deke’s Techniques.