Convert to 100% K

[jay fresno]

Using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, is there a fast way to convert all the gray text in a PDF to pure 100% black?

[ls_rbls]

I'm not sure if you're asking to do this on text object fields or the plain (FreeType) text of the PDF document per se.

If working with field objects you can achieve this with a JavaScript action (from a button, console batch script, or as an action via the Action Wizard).

If this is for the document text I would say to experiment with the Print Production tool which provides a vast amount possibilities via PDF Fixups and preflight profiles.

[Luke Jennings3]

Here is a related topic with preflight profile instructions:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat/how-to-convert-color-image-to-black-in-acrobat-dc/m-p/1113855...

[jay fresno]

Thank you, Luke. That topic is certainly related, but seems to be instructing how to change the color of one graphic rather than changing all text throughout a PDF. I tried to use the instructions and make them relevant to my question, but was not successful.

[Luke Jennings3]

It should be working for all specific grays in your PDF. You will first need to use the Output preview tool to determine the existing value of the gray (there may be several, and they could be RGB or CMYK). If this is the case, you could make several preflight fixups and run them together using the Action Wizard. You can also adjust the tolerance of the preflight (and include intermediate color values). Can you duplicate and edit the existing preflight?

[jay fresno]

Yes, I'm able to duplicate the existing preflight. You are right that there are several shades of gray. It will be time-consuming trying to figure out how many shades of gray there are and what their values are. I guess there is no easy (fast) way to do this.

[ls_rbls]

Hey jay_fresno,

Just a quick follow up and see if you were able to sort this out.

I cam accross this old thread posted back in 2019: https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/100-black-converting-to-cmyk/td-p/10382258?page=1