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lukasz_0925
Participant
March 28, 2025
Question

Difference while checking colors in Adobe Acrobat Pro 2025 and Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020 Classic

  • March 28, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 1169 views

Hi all!

I have a problem with differences when checking separations in Output Preview and Preflight between Adobe Acrobat Pro 2025 (enterprise license) and Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020 Classic (probably the last standalone version).

 

When I checked the PDF file for the presence of additional colors other than Pantone in the 2025 version, they did not appear, but in the 2020 Classic version, the software detected elements containing CMY colors. It also works the other way around - in another PDF file, the 2025 version software detects an element in the form of a line (microscopic - with the color defined for the shape, not for the line - so the line itself does not have a color), but the 2020 version software does not detect it. I am attaching screenshots of the two cases (one with CMY 88% elements and the other with just the line in another file).

Please help - it's important that these two checks are the same.

1 reply

Amal.
Community Manager
Amal.Community Manager
Community Manager
March 28, 2025

Hi there,

 

Hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out.

 

Would you mind sharing the version of the Acorbat Pro and Acrobat 2020 you are using? Also share the sample PDF file so we can check it at our end.

The differences you're seeing between Adobe Acrobat Pro 2025 (enterprise license) and Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020 Classic in Output Preview and Preflight results could be due to several factors, including:
-Improved Preflight and Output Preview Engine: Acrobat 2025 has updated algorithms that detect colors and elements differently compared to the 2020 Classic version.
- Rendering and Transparency Handling: Changes in how transparency and overprint settings are processed could impact the detection of CMY or Pantone elements.
- Default Preflight Profiles: Ensure that both versions are using the same Preflight profiles and Output Preview settings. Different default configurations could cause variations in results.

You may try the suggestions below and see if that works:
- Open Output Preview in both versions and compare settings such as overprint preview, simulation profile, and previewed separations.
- In Preflight, ensure the same analysis profiles are being used.

- In Output Preview, toggle different rendering intents to see if it affects the same way.

- Open the PDFs in Acrobat and check *Document Properties* (`Ctrl + D` or `Cmd + D` on macOS) to ensure both are using the same PDF standard and color management settings.

- Ensure both Acrobat versions are fully updated with the latest patches, and reboot the computer once.

 

Let us know how it goes.


 

L
lukasz_0925Author
Participant
March 31, 2025

Hello Amal :),

Thank you for explanation and hints.

I will check that. 

ABout checking at your end I attached two files (carton and label) On carton is for sure one additional element (line but with defined color foer shape - it is visible in Adobe Acrobar 2025 but not in 2020). On label I cannot see anything in 2025 and in 2020 our colegula spotted those elments with 88% of CMY. That the problem. We have to be sure that on both ends the results will be the same - becuse of approvale of the files. Thos are not for production so the settings are unverslal later they will be PDF/X4.

Thank you again!

 

Best regards

Lukasz

AnandSri
Community Manager
AnandSriCommunity Manager
Community Manager
June 5, 2025

Hello @lukasz_0925!

 

I hope you are doing well, and we are sorry for the delayed response.

 

How to get identical results in both versions

Force both apps to use the same PDF/X-1a engine

  • Preflight → select PDF/X-1a:2001 (or your legacy preset) and re-run your checks in both 2025 and 2020. This flattens transparencies in the same way in both.

Customize your Preflight profile in 2025

  • Open Print Production > Preflight → click the Wrench icon to duplicate the “List all colorants” check.

  • Edit it to also flag process‐only objects (enable the “Include objects in CMYK blend space” option).

  • Save that as your custom profile and use it going forward.

Adjust Output Preview in 2025

  • Open Print Production > Output Preview, and in the Show dropdown choose All Colorants (not just Spots or CMYK).

  • Also, enable Simulate Overprinting so flattened and live objects render the same.

Flatten transparencies first

  • If your approval workflow allows it, export your art as PDF/X-1a (via File → Save As Other → PDF/X), then inspect that file. Both versions will treat the content identically because all transparencies are already baked in.

 

Please try these steps, and let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

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