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Helena5FB0
Helena5FB0
Participant
June 4, 2026
Question

CMYK Proof Set Up View too dark

  • June 4, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 34 views

Every time I open a new .ai file in Illustrator, it’s set in CMYK mode and Proof Set Up View CMYK. The problem is that this mode is much more dark than before.

I also work in a cloud and I check this issue with my coworkers. We both have the same settings (Colour mode European Purpose 3 in Bridge), CMYK mode for printing, GPU off… My screens are calibrated too.

However, when I print, the results is notably much more clear than in screen. Last time, my illustrations were so dark that they look also black. If I want to see what I a doing, I must change to RGB and cross my fingers for my illustrations and edited photos have the same clarity as in screen.

 

Any idea what I could do?

Thanks

    3 replies

    Anubhav M
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    June 8, 2026

    Hello ​@Helena5FB0 

     

    Sorry for the late response. Are you using Illustrator on Windows? If yes, would you mind trying the suggestions shared in this community post (https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/my-colors-are-different-on-adobe-illustrator/m-p/13246757#M338387) to check if they help.

     

    If you're on macOS, please try recalibrating your monitor for sRGB (https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/calibrate-your-display-mchlp1109/mac), restarting your computer, and then relaunching Illustrator to see if it helps.

     

    Also, kindly synchronize color settings across Adobe applications by following the steps here (https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/keeping-colors-consistent.html#:~:text=for%20online%20viewing.-,Synchronize%20color%20settings%20across%20Adobe%20applications,-If%20you%20use) and share your observations.

     

    Looking forward to your response.
    Anubhav

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 4, 2026

    ​@Helena5FB0 How are your screens calibrated? Can you try to set the monitor profile to sRGB? This has helped some in the past when using external monitors.

    Helena5FB0
    Helena5FB0Author
    Participant
    June 4, 2026

    Yes, both are calibrated and RGB. Besides, I work on a laptop and, when I work remotely, the problem persists.

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 4, 2026

    Calibrated to what profile? Can you select sRGB for a test?

    Bill Silbert
    Community Expert
    Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 4, 2026

    What version of Illustrator and operating system are you using? Could you upload a screen shot that shows what you’re seeing onscreen? If possible, also upload a screenshot of what your coworkers are seeing. Are they on the same version of Illustrator and operating system as you?

    Helena5FB0
    Helena5FB0Author
    Participant
    June 5, 2026

    Illustrator is 29.8.7, and I’m working with Windows 11 24H2.I understand that CMYK shows colors much darker than RGB, but my PDF and paper versions are definitely not as dark as my screen.

    The worst part is, even if I change to the RGB setup to see the true colors, sometimes it fails and displays the colors even darker. In those cases, I have to redo the illustrations. This view also remains when I need to edit photos in Photoshop using the Camera Raw. I cannot distinguish the final result as the display is much darker than the working area view.

    Here is the screenshot. I draw stones because I am an archaeologist.

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