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Linds1234
Linds1234
Known Participant
March 9, 2026
Answered

Process Colour Conversion via ICC profile in InDesign

  • March 9, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 137 views

What is the best workflow to retrieve process color mixes (RGB, Hex) from a CMYK mix via an ICC profile conversion in InDesign? In other words, how do I ensure the correct ICC profile is being used for the conversion?

 

Color Settings: North American General Purpose 2

RGB: sRGB IEC61966-2.1

CMYK: U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2

 

Should I change the transparency blend space from CMYK to RGB, then retrieve the color mixes? (See below)

 

Proposed Workflow 1:

  • Transparency blend space is CMYK
  • Assign Profiles to document: Assign current working spaces: RGB: sRGB IEC61966-2.1, CMYK: U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2 
  • Change transparency blend space to RGB – changing the document workspace to sRGB IEC61966-2.1 profile. The conversions will now be based on this sRGB color profile assigned to the document via the space change.
  • Open up swatch options to retrieve RGB and Hex numbers

 

Or, can I leave the transparency blend space in CMYK, and retrieve the color mixes? Will I get conversions via what I have set in the color settings – North American General Purpose 2: sRGB? Or, will being in a CMYK converted workspace affect the conversion negatively? (See below)

 

Proposed Workflow 2:

  • Transparency blend space is CMYK
  • Assign Profiles to document: Assign current working spaces: RGB: sRGB IEC61966-2.1, CMYK: U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2
  • Open up swatch options to retrieve RGB and Hex numbers – The conversion is based on the sRGB profile set the North American General Purpose 2 color settings, without changing the transparency blend space.

 

Any corrections or suggestions would be much appreciated! 

    Correct answer rob day

    But yes, it will eventually be for web

     

    If the final destination is web then color management is less complex. There would be no reason to use CMYK colors and swatches, so the assigned CMYK profile doesn’t matter. The Transparency Blend Space can be RGB, and the PDF export Output Settings can be:

     

     

    Note that not all web browsers handle InDesign Transparency effects correctly, so I would flatten transparency (Acrobat 4).

    2 replies

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 9, 2026

    Hi ​@Linds1234 , What is the document’s final destination? Is it for display in a web browser (sRGB), or CMYK separations for an offset web press running to the US Web Coated (SWOP) profile (your document’s assigned CMYK profile)?

    Linds1234
    Linds1234Author
    Known Participant
    March 9, 2026

    Well, I’m just trying to get the conversion numbers. But yes, it will eventually be for web, so sRGB.

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 10, 2026

    But yes, it will eventually be for web

     

    If the final destination is web then color management is less complex. There would be no reason to use CMYK colors and swatches, so the assigned CMYK profile doesn’t matter. The Transparency Blend Space can be RGB, and the PDF export Output Settings can be:

     

     

    Note that not all web browsers handle InDesign Transparency effects correctly, so I would flatten transparency (Acrobat 4).

    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 9, 2026

    If I understand your post correctly, you want the RGB numbers from existing CMYK colors? You can just open the swatch and change from CMYK to RGB (keeping the color as process). Hex will be listed with the RGB. You can double check the swatches to an ASE file, then load into Photoshop. You _should_ see the same numbers. 

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    Linds1234
    Linds1234Author
    Known Participant
    March 9, 2026

    You are correct. I’m looking for the RGB conversion from CMYK. However, I do want to ensure it is based on an applied sRGB profile.

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