Spot channels in placed Photoshop files don't show in InDesign

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
July 20, 2023
4 replies
1329 views

For years any spot channels in my placed Photoshop files would show up fine in Indesign. Now nothing shows. Even with the whole PANTONE debacle- if I name my spot channel anything- it won't show in my InDesign swatches. The same spot color in a placed Illustrator file shows up fine/ adds that swatch if I place it. These is a recent thing, so I assume it's a bug. Please fix! We use many spot colors on a regular basis & I need to show the color separations accurately with my placed PSD interacting with other elements in InDesignn

Bug

This topic has been closed for replies.

S

SaraUGP

Participating Frequently

This is happening to me as well. Its doing a weird rendering of my images. From Photoshop into indesign.

rob day

Community Expert

Hi @SaraUGP , Can you share the PSD with spots that’s causing the problem?

One thing to consider when using Spot Channels in Photoshop is InDesign and Photoshop color manage the preview of spot colors differently. Photoshop Spot Channels have a Solidity percentage field, which lets you set the expected opaqueness of the ink. PS also has a Spot color working space which affects the preview of tints—InDesign does not have a Spot color Working Space or a Solidity setting.

InDesign always previews the color as if it is transparent. Offset inks are normally transparent, not opaque. The Solidity setting doesn’t affect the output values, it’s just the preview that is affected.

rob day

Community Expert

Hi @warm_finder5CB6 , Can you share a .psd with Spot Channels that isn’t working? You can attach it to a reply.

W

warm_finder5CB6Author

Participating Frequently

Hi Rob- everything I’m working on is for clients with jobs that aren’t live yet with strict non-disclosure agreements- latest with this problem is for Warner Bros. Will have to quick make a dummy file if this will be visible on the forum page.

[personal contact info and email signature deleted by moderator]

W

warm_finder5CB6Author

Participating Frequently

If you create a Spot Swatch with the same name in InDesign before you place the .PSD with the Spot Channel, does the content in the .PSD’s channel show in InDesign’s Separation Preview?

yes, we often do that anyway so we have a CMYK spot definition. Importing a file with a spot from Photoshop or Illustrator creates an RGB or LAB-color spot channel in InDesign.