# Photoshop - Channels vs Layers

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photoshop-channels-vs-layers/422402>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 11, 2007, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photoshop-channels-vs-layers/422402 "2007-10-11T23:39:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photoshop-channels-vs-layers/422402/1 "2007-10-11T23:39:37Z")

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I’m working on some comic book art. I looked up a bunch of tutorials on comic-style coloring and most of them say to use channels. I’ve already got my flat colors on layers, figuring it would be easier to render each color if I didn’t have to reselect it every time. So why would you use channels over layers? I assume it must make something easier (maybe to backup the flat colors if you need to change it?)

I should know this stuff already, seeing as I’m a graphic designer, but my Photoshop knowledge is sadly lacking. (I am, however, an Illustrator goddess)

([This is a good example](http://www.steeldolphin-forums.com/htmltuts/digital_colorpart2.html) of the technique)

I always feel like I should write more. My posts are always so tiny

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**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photoshop-channels-vs-layers/422402/2 "2007-10-11T23:50:22Z")

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If it’s a spot color piece, then working in the channels will be fine, as each channel would represent each spot color. However, if it’s a 4-color piece, then the CMYK info has to stay in the channels, and you would work with the image in layers. (the short answer!)