Photo color and precision

Start with the source precision

A 16-bit source contains more possible channel values than an 8-bit source. Keeping that precision is useful when adjusting smooth skies, shadows and gradients. Converting an 8-bit photo to 16-bit does not recreate values already lost.

Inspect the document color mode and depth before editing. Choose a compatible output format when precision matters; JPEG is not a 16-bit working-document format. See the 16-bit editing guide for the supported workflow and limitations.

Make adjustments you can compare

Correct overall exposure and color first, then make local changes. Keep adjustments separate where the operation supports editable layers. Toggle the effect to compare and inspect shadows, highlights and neutral objects. Increasing contrast too far can lose detail even when the image looks more dramatic.

A selection limits a local adjustment; a mask can gradually blend its effect. Save before experimenting with a conversion or a complex filter. Check any warning that an operation requires a different color mode or precision.

Edit and paint CMYK raster layers

1. Open a CMYK PSD and choose Edit CMYK layers. The original stays in its own preservation tab.
2. Select a row in CMYK raster layers. The top row is the topmost layer.
3. Choose Blend mode (Normal, Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Soft Light, Darken or Lighten), change Visible or Opacity, reorder with Move layer up/down, or duplicate a layer. A duplicate appears immediately above its source.
4. For a layer with a mask, use Enable pixel mask or Invert pixel mask. Undo reverses a change.
5. Choose Save CMYK PSD to retain the supported layers and masks. Reopen the downloaded PSD and choose Edit CMYK layers to continue.

This layered mode supports ordinary Photoshop raster layers with the seven supported blend modes at 8 or 16 bits, including Photoshop metadata and declared composite transparency. Verified Photoshop 26.8.1 round trips preserve native ink channels, pixel masks, profile and layer settings. Other blend modes, effects, text and advanced masks stay in the original preservation workflow. If the file is unsupported, the app explains why; it does not silently discard layers.

TIFF and PDF exports flatten the current layer composition. For global corrections, export a CMYK TIFF and open an Edit CMYK copy. Browser recovery retains layered edits locally, but a downloaded PSD is your independent backup.

Clip CMYK layers to artwork

1. Open a supported 8/16-bit CMYK PSD and choose Edit CMYK layers.
2. Select a raster layer above your base artwork in the same folder, then choose Create clipping mask. Add more consecutive clipped layers to share that base.
3. The indented arrow marks clipped rows. The underlined base controls the visible area through its transparency and pixel mask. Hover a clipped row to see its base name.
4. Select the base to change opacity, visibility, its mask, or Blend clipped layers as group. Checked applies the base blend mode after combining clipped colors; unchecked blends the base first.
5. Choose Release clipping mask to make the selected layer independent again. Undo and Redo restore changes.
6. Save CMYK PSD to retain editable clipping relationships and native ink samples. TIFF and PDF exports flatten the composition.

Clipping stays within each folder. Moving a clipped layer to the bottom releases it; rearranging siblings can change its base. Raster bases and folder bases are supported, including Pass Through folders. Select the layer directly above the folder and choose Create clipping mask; no blend-mode conversion is needed. The folder keeps its nested contents, opacity and pixel mask. You can switch the base folder between Pass Through and isolated modes while keeping the clipping relationship. Folders themselves cannot be clipped; use their raster contents.

Organize CMYK layers into folders

1. In Edit CMYK layers, choose New group. It creates an empty folder above the selected item. Rename it in Name, then press Tab.
2. Drag a layer or whole folder onto another folder to move it inside. Drop on a raster row to place it above that row. The Folder selector also moves items between folders; choose Document root to move an item out.
3. Select a folder and use Collapse group or Expand group. Collapsing hides its rows only; Visible controls whether its contents render. Move layer up/down reorders the selected item among its siblings.
4. Choose Pass Through to let children blend with layers outside the folder. Normal and the other supported modes composite the contents together first, then blend that result. Group opacity and pixel masks control the combined contribution.
5. Use Add pixel mask and Layer brush → Paint pixel mask to hide or reveal group contents. Folders have no paintable ink pixels; choose a child raster layer to paint or erase inks.
6. Duplicate layer copies a folder with its contents. Ungroup keeps the contents but removes the folder mask, opacity and blending settings. Delete group and contents removes the subtree. Undo restores these changes.
7. Save CMYK PSD to preserve nested folders, names, collapsed state, native ink channels and pixel masks. Reopen the PSD and choose Edit CMYK layers to continue.

Up to 100 combined layers and folders and eight nesting levels are supported, within the existing pixel limits. PSD group structure and rendering have been checked through Photoshop 26.8.1 at 8 and 16 bits. Group effects, scene/animation groups, text and advanced masks remain in the preservation workflow. TIFF and PDF exports flatten the current composition.

Paint inks, transparency and CMYK layer masks

1. In Edit CMYK layers, select a layer or choose New CMYK layer. A new transparent layer appears above the selected one.
2. Scroll to Layer brush. Choose Paint inks, enter Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black percentages, and set Size, Hardness, Opacity and Flow.
3. Drag on the canvas. Choose Erase to transparency to remove coverage while retaining the hidden ink values.
4. Choose Add pixel mask, then Paint pixel mask. Mask white 0% hides, 100% reveals, and 50% partially reveals. Enable an existing disabled mask before painting it.
5. Undo reverses a completed stroke; Escape cancels an unfinished stroke. Space-drag pans. Choose Inspect to stop painting.
6. Save CMYK PSD to retain separate layer pixels and masks at the original 8/16-bit depth. Save and reopen after 128 strokes on a layer to continue painting.

Opacity limits the strength of each stroke; flow controls buildup within it. Painting uses native ink values without an RGB conversion. Hidden and zero-opacity layers cannot be painted. TIFF and PDF exports flatten the current composition; PSD preserves editable raster layers. Browser recovery includes your strokes, but keep a downloaded PSD as an independent backup.

CMYK is a separate workflow

RGB is used for screen display; CMYK describes printing inks. Native CMYK documents and channels do not mean every RGB tool can operate directly on them. Use an explicit RGB copy when a tool requires it, keeping the CMYK original for comparison.

For print delivery, agree on profile, format and dimensions with the printer. A monitor preview is not a physical proof. Reopen the exported file and verify the requested mode and profile in the receiving workflow.