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Adobe Illustrator Changing CMYK Values

Forum|Forum|7 months ago
August 16, 2025
3 replies
716 views

I am creating a document that is going to a printer and they require specific CMYK values for print. Illustrator continues to edit the CMYK values I input. I understand that the program is likely adjusting the percentages due to a setting, however, I thought that I had taken the steps to 'lock' my CMYK inputs so Illustrator does not override my CMYK values. Document is set to CMYK, I changed to Color Managment Policies to 'Preserve Numbers (Ignore Linked Profiles) and I have turned ON all Profile Mismatches and Missing Profile settings/warnings. How can I fix this? I am obviously missing something. Thank you!

How-to

Correct answer Ton Frederiks

If you type hex, RGB or HSB vaules in a CMYK document, Illustrator will convert those to the nearest possible CMYK values for that color. But if Illustrator changes CMYK values you have entered in a CMYK document there is something wrong. Illustrator does not limit your CMYK values in a CMYK document.

Ton Frederiks

Correct answer

Community Expert

If you type hex, RGB or HSB vaules in a CMYK document, Illustrator will convert those to the nearest possible CMYK values for that color. But if Illustrator changes CMYK values you have entered in a CMYK document there is something wrong. Illustrator does not limit your CMYK values in a CMYK document.

J

josilaAuthor

Participating Frequently

@Ton Frederiks Thank you. This is helpful information.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Do you get any warnings when you open the document?

Which Illustrator version is it?

Can you give an example? Like Which values do you inout and which are then commited?

Does that happen immediate when you enter the values or later? Like when you open the document again?

Do you place images in the document?

J

josilaAuthor

Participating Frequently

@Monika Gause I do get one warning, but it's because I changed the Color Management Policies; newest version; it's happening with some colors and not all colors and happens immediately. However, I think I am figuring it as I am trying out different settings; I'll post here when I've found the solution. Thank you!

creative explorer

Community Expert

@josila that's awesome you got the first two things, Document set-up is CMYK and Color Managment Policies to 'Preserve Numbers (Ignore Linked Profiles) and I have turned ON all Profile Mismatches and Missing Profile settings/warnings which is a good step, the overall color profile set here can still influence how Illustrator handles color. You can choose a preset like "North America General Purpose 2" which is often a good starting point for CMYK workflows.

Also, when you are in the Color Picker, after you have typed in your CMYK numbers, do you see a small warning icon (an exlamation mark in a triangle? This icon indicates that the color you have chosen is out of gamut for your current color profile and Illustrator is attempting to correct it.

Normally, what I like to do, is go into my 'Swatches' panel, and select the unused color swatches, and remove them all together. Hey, if they're aren't in use, it' safe to delete them. By doing so, you can quickly verify if there are any RGB swatches as well or any that may have a 'Global' swatch on as well.

m

J

josilaAuthor

Participating Frequently

@creative explorer Thank you for the help. I am still figuring out the settings that will work, however, the tips you provided are extremely helpful. To answer your question, no there is no warning icon since they are safe CMYK colors for printing.

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