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jordenh51239811
jordenh51239811
Participant
February 7, 2023
Question

Black is faded when linking graphic to a PDF

  • February 7, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 498 views

I really need some help ASAP. I need to know why color is being faded when I link a PDF to a graphic in indesign. Don't tell me it's because it's a PDF becaause I've been linking PDF's fine for the last 2 years. I recently started a new indesign project and I thought everything was good until I noticed the PDFS weren't the correct color in indesign. 

 

Please help me, you'll literally be saving my life.

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 7, 2023

Your document’s saved Color Management Profiles and Policies might affect the appearance of placed color. Also if there are color objects in the PDF with no profile assignments, the InDesign document’s profile assignments would be used, which could alter the color appearance.

 

Can you share the PDF?

    jordenh51239811
    jordenh51239811Author
    Participant
    February 7, 2023

    I'll see if I can get permission but currently I am unable to do sensetive data in the pdf I'm working in.

     

    But the problem is, when I save it as a PNG and upload it all looks fine. It's only bad when it's a PDF that I'm linking too. Wouldn't color profiles effect all graphics the same?

    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Legend
    February 7, 2023

    If for the last two years everything been OK - then somehow your new project is different - or your new PDFs. 

     

    What if you place new PDF into old project - and old PDF into new project?

     

    jordenh51239811
    jordenh51239811Author
    Participant
    February 7, 2023

    I just figured out why I didn't notice till now. It seems to really only be noticable when I use black colors on the PDF. Up till now I haven't used many.

    Peter Spier
    Community Expert
    Peter SpierCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 7, 2023

    My best guess is you have your preferences set under Appearance of Black to display all blacks accurately. In my opinion this is the besst setting. 100 K is not as dark in print as a rich black (4-color mix) will be. Id your files are intended for screen, the you may want to consider dipalying all blacks as rich black instead, but they will not be as dark when printed.

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