Skip to main content
A
Anonymous
February 28, 2019
Answered

PNG files imports in QuarkXPress as different colors.

  • February 28, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 2032 views

I cannot figure out how to save PNG files (I need the transparency) so that the file's colors remain the same in both Photoshop and QuarkXPress. Once in QuarkXPress and other content has been added to the file, I need to then export it to a PDF in CMYK format as we are a newspaper. I've tried creating a new Photoshop file preset in CMYK mode, but that doesn't help. Today, when I saved my same file as a JPG, it saved the colors almost perfectly. I have chosen Pantone colors, hoping that would make it universal, to no avail; but I need the transparent PNG!

This image shows the logo as a JPG (top), what the colors are supposed to be (the boxes), and how the logo imports as a PNG (bottom). Nevermind the quality. I saved it from a PDF to a JPG so it's poor quality; but I do not usually do this.

Spelling corrected by moderator to ”QuarkXPress”. Was “QuarkXpress”.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Test Screen Name

    No, while you might have created the PNG in CMYK mode you did NOT make a CMYK PNG because this is something that does not exist.

    Give TIFF and PSD a try. You could also try JPEG with a clipping path. Hard to be certain; there are specific well known routes for going to InDesign. But abandon all hope with PNG. It's a web graphics format, nothing else.

    5 replies

    T
    Test Screen NameCorrect answer
    Legend
    March 5, 2019

    No, while you might have created the PNG in CMYK mode you did NOT make a CMYK PNG because this is something that does not exist.

    Give TIFF and PSD a try. You could also try JPEG with a clipping path. Hard to be certain; there are specific well known routes for going to InDesign. But abandon all hope with PNG. It's a web graphics format, nothing else.

    A
    Anonymous
    March 5, 2019

    https://forums.adobe.com/people/Test+Screen+Name  wrote

    No, while you might have created the PNG in CMYK mode you did NOT make a CMYK PNG because this is something that does not exist.

    Give TIFF and PSD a try. You could also try JPEG with a clipping path. Hard to be certain; there are specific well known routes for going to InDesign. But abandon all hope with PNG. It's a web graphics format, nothing else.

    Thank you! I saved as a TIFF and it worked great! Yay!!

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    March 1, 2019

    There is a fundamental problem here. PNG is an RGB format. Whether you choose to or not, a CMYK design WILL be conveted to RGB before saving as PNG because it would be impossible not to. CMYK JPEG is a thing, however.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 1, 2019

    Could you post the png itself?

    mglush
    Community Expert
    mglushCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 1, 2019

    Hi!

    Why do you need the transparency? Are you placing the file over something else? It would help to know your process so we can figure out an alternative for you.

    Is the jpg you created from the png file that you placed in PS? Also, is the jpg in RGB and the bottom logo in CMYK?

    Michelle

    A
    Anonymous
    March 5, 2019

    mglush  wrote

    Hi!

    Why do you need the transparency? Are you placing the file over something else? It would help to know your process so we can figure out an alternative for you.

    Is the jpg you created from the png file that you placed in PS? Also, is the jpg in RGB and the bottom logo in CMYK?

    Michelle

    I need the transparency because we bring the Photoshop images into QuarkXPress and continue the design in XPress so there may be overlapping images. Should we not be doing it this way? Both the JPG and the PNG above were created in CMYK mode as a PSD.

    mglush
    Community Expert
    mglushCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 6, 2019

    Thanks for the explanation! I wanted to know to see if you could bring your native PS file into QXP and use the transparency from it--it sounds like it would work for what you need and you won't lose any quality in your image that way. I am glad to hear that the tifs are working!

    Michelle

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 28, 2019

    XPress should be able to handle (profiled) psd-files, png seems a problematic choice.

    Do you save a png or do you save via »Save for Web«?

    What os the image’s Color Space? sRGB or something else?

    P.S.: Vector would seem preferable anyway, so creating the logo in Illustrator might be worth a thought.

    A
    Anonymous
    February 28, 2019

    For some odd reason, we do not have Illustrator at work, otherwise I would work in that. When I try to import a PSD image, it gives me a "Bad File Format" error. We use QuarkXpress 8. When I save the PNG, I do a Save for Web and Devices. Is there another way? I have the color mode set to CMYK.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 28, 2019

    Save for Web cannot produce CMYK files, so you get an RGB file.

    On exporting did you check »Convert to sRGB«?

    What are XPress’ Color Settings?

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices