Inspiring

Answered

I keep having issues saving 100% black using illustrator or all my line work. When I re-open the files the colour defaults back to a dark grey. My files are CMYK not RGB. I can't figure out a solution.

Forum|Forum|2 months ago
January 29, 2026
2 replies
144 views

I am creating my artwork in illustrator, my line work both stroke and fill need to be 100% black so I ensure that my CMYK is 100% K, I then save my file. When I re-open the file in illustrator the CMYK defaults to a dark grey every time.

My output has to be 100% Black.

What is going on and how do I fix this.

Someone please help.

colors

Correct answer ojoan

@ojoan

I think it has now been resolved.

My files in question were not in fact CMYK files but RGB so were not able to save in pure black when i was updating the CMYK in the colour panel.

Phew.

Thank you for your help.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

To add to what Monika said, check what is set in the Preferences > Appearance of Black.

ojoanAuthor

Inspiring

Thank you both.

I did go ahead and change the Appearance of Black in Preferences but it hasn’t fixed the issue.

My file(s) still default back to a dark grey.

UGH!

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

Can you share a file? Or maybe share a recording?

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Do the colors just look dark grey (which would be normal) or do the numbers change in the color panel?

ojoanAuthor

Inspiring

The numbers change in the colour panel.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

How’s your color management set up?

Is this really a CMYK file?

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded