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Participant
March 30, 2025
Question

Converting a RGB pdf to CMYK while preserving vividity

  • March 30, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 1280 views

Hi there

 

I've purchased Pro because I undertood that it might be able to help preserve the vividity of an RGB pdf when I convert it to CMYK

 

The original file was created in Canva but when I export it there to a CMYK pdf for print it goes really dull (the original image has bright striking blues). So I've tried exporting it as an RGB pdf (which looks perfect), then importing that  to Pro and then using Print Production (potentially incorrectly ) to output it again to a CMYK pdf.

 

But it makes no difference ;-(

 

I'm hoping someone in the community might be able to suggest a solution.

 

It's for a book cover and the current colour output colour is hugely disappointing

 

Help!

 

Many thank s

2 replies

JR Boulay
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 31, 2025

You should convert using your printer's profile, rather than a generic CMYK profile.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
MikelKlink
Participating Frequently
March 30, 2025

CMYK and RGB don't represent the same color ranges. Thus, it may simply be the case that the bright striking blues you miss simply don't exist in CMYK and in the course of conversion are replaced by the nearest existing CMYK color. You may want to discuss this with your printer. They may have options including the addition of extra printing colors for the desired effect. 

Participant
March 30, 2025

Thanks MikelKlink, I suspected that would be the case. Unfortunatedly the printer is KDP! So I'll just have to live with it. Appreciate you takng the trouble to reply