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L
lauraf64966502
Inspiring
October 16, 2020
Answered

Hex color codes changing when I export a document out of Illustrator to PNG.

  • October 16, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 4278 views

Hi there!  I'm fairly new to Illustrator.

 

I'm having some issues when working with files in Illustrator and then exporting it as a PNG.  I have specific color codes that I use in CMYK color mode, however when I export the file out of Illustrator as a PNG and then open it in Photoshop, the hex color codes are all slightly changed.

 

So for example let's say that I'm making something in Illustrator and I'm using the basic black hex #000000.  When I pick that color in illustrator and design whatever I'm designing.....then export that file as PNG.  When I open it over in Photoshop the black hex # is no longer 000000 but has been changed slightly to Hex #070909.  I realize it's still black, but what am I doing wrong to cause it to change slightly?

 

I realize this is likely a color management thing...but I'm confused.  Both in illustrator and in photoshop the document color settings are set to CMYK and my color profile settings are synced in bridge to N. America General Purpose 2 and the color management settings are set to preserve embedded profiles.

 

Can someone explain why the color codes are changing slightly?  Again...I'm a newbie so it's probably very likely user error!  🙂

 

Thanks so much!!

 

 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Ton Frederiks

Since you seen very knowledgeable on file formats...can you explain to me why this is happening when I save a file in PDF and try to open it over in Photoshop?

 

I just did something very basic here to try and mess around with file saving stuff.....the file saves just fine on my desktop as a PDF and looks like thisHowever when I go to open it in PS....part of the transparency is coming through on the lighter colors and I need that not to be there.  Can you tell me why this might be happening?  I'm sure it's somethign I'm doing wrong when I'm saving AS PDF.  Again many thanks!!

 


That is because you are using transparency.

You will see the transparency grid in Photoshop because you gave those elements a 50% opacity.

If you would create a white layer below it would look like the first picture.

You can avoid this by making the color a Global Swatch and use a 50% tint instead of 50% opacity.

3 replies

L
lauraf64966502Author
Inspiring
October 16, 2020

Well I work with a printer who prints fabric for us and they need the colors in CMYK.  I use alot of Pantone colors...very specific colors that I want to achieve on the final printed product.  So when I select the pantone color....and create whatever in Illustrator I need to be able to export the file somehow so that it retains that exact color.  Is there a specific file format that I should be exporting to that will acheive this?  Again...I'm just barely starting to use this program and I admit that I'm barely able to understand all the ins and outs of file formats!  :-). I appreciate your responses and hope someone can help me better understand what I should be doing.  Thanks so much!!  

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 16, 2020

Tiff or PSD  for CMYK images, but PDF would even be better to maintain quality.

    L
    lauraf64966502Author
    Inspiring
    October 16, 2020

    Thank you Ton!  Let me go and try one of those file formats and see what happens!  I truly appreciate your patience with my lack of knowledge and appreciate your kind help!

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 16, 2020

    A couple of things.

    Hex codes don't exist in CMYK, they are a different way of describing an RGB color.

    PNG files don't support CMYK.

    PNG files exported from Illustrator don't have an ICC profile attached.

      Doug A Roberts
      Community Expert
      Doug A RobertsCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 16, 2020

      The main reason is that hex codes are RGB values. You should not use them when defining colours in CMYK.

      Additionally, PNG files do not support CMYK colours.

      There is a chain of conversions going on here from you defining a CMYK colour using an RGB value, exporting it to an RGB format, then (I guess) converting it back in to CMYK in Photoshop.

       

      Can you describe what you are trying to achieve and why you think you need this workflow?

        L
        lauraf64966502Author
        Inspiring
        October 16, 2020

        Well I work with a printer who prints fabric for us and they need the colors in CMYK.  I use alot of Pantone colors...very specific colors that I want to achieve on the final printed product.  So when I select the pantone color....and create whatever in Illustrator I need to be able to export the file somehow so that it retains that exact color.  Is there a specific file format that I should be exporting to that will acheive this?  Again...I'm just barely starting to use this program and I admit that I'm barely able to understand all the ins and outs of file formats!  :-). I appreciate your responses and hope someone can help me better understand what I should be doing.  Thanks so much!!  

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