How to Adjust Color for Print

How to Convert RGB to CMYK

Because RGB has a much larger color gamut, colors outside of the gamut become much less vibrant when printed on a CMYK press. They can often come out looking completely different. To get the most accurate idea of how a piece will print, we recommend converting it to Document CMYK before submitting for print

There Are a Few Ways to Do This:

Adobe Illustrator

File > Document Color Mode > CMYK Color

Note: This will change the default profile to Working CMYK but will not change any objects with a different mode. To manually adjust non-CMYK objects, select the object and go to:

Window > Color > Options ( ) > CMYK

You can also convert all objects to CMYK by converting when you export:

File > Save As > Adobe PDF (pdf) > Output > Color Conversion > Convert to Destination > U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2 for Coated Papers OR U.S. Web Uncoated v2 for Uncoated Papers > Include Destination Profiles

Note: Verify that all necessary spot colors are included after export. You can do that in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC by selecting: • Tools > Print Production > Ink Manager

Adobe Acrobat PRO DC

Tools > Print Production > Convert Colors > Conversion Attributes > Conversion Profile > U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2 for Coated Papers OR U.S. Web Uncoated v2 for Uncoated Papers

Note: This will convert ALL objects to CMYK. If you wish to preserve spot colors, we recommend you select: • Matching Criteria > Color Type > Any RGB

Adobe InDesign

File > Export > Adobe PDF (pdf)
Follow same guidelines as Illustrator

Note: InDesign will allow you to set default RGB and CMYK profiles through Edit > Assign Profiles or Edit > Convert to Profile but cannot exclude RGB automatically