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Participant
March 14, 2008
Question

Colors faded, washed out in PDF display

  • March 14, 2008
  • 13 replies
  • 89381 views
Hi all, odd problem... found a few like it in the forums, no solutions though.

When I export a PDF from InDesign CS3 to Acrobat 8, the PDF opens with a dull "wash" over the entire pages.

When I scroll or move thru the document in Acrobat, I briefly see the pages properly (vivid color, rich blacks) for a split-second, then this grayish "wash" appears over everything. This even happens in the Print preview dialog.

It seems to print OK, but executives will be opening & viewing this file and not always printing. I'm getting comments like "can you fix the color?"

My color settings are synchronized thru Bridge.

Any insight is much appreciated!!
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13 replies

Inspiring
March 18, 2008
Have you calibrated your display against a known standard?
_BNich_Author
Participant
March 18, 2008
Hi, and thanks for the reply...

The ID document is actually CMYK, though it does incorporate RGB elements (photos and PSD artwork). I have tried converting EVERYTHING to CMYK and then RGB to compare -- but I get this "wash" no matter what the original color space.

Overprint preview makes no difference. Selecting Output Preview makes the pages appear correctly as long as that dialog box is open. But as soon as I close the dialog, the pages "wash" and look faded again.

Again, it prints OK. But this washed-out display is a problem and really looks bad.
Participating Frequently
March 18, 2008
Sounds like you've converted your RGB indesign document to CMYK (Acrobat press settings.

Also does it make a difference if you switch overprint preview on or off? (Advanced>print production>overprint preview)