Color mode converting from CMYK to Book

[hrvv]

Hello,

I am having an issue where color modes of swatches are automatically converting when copy/pasted into a new document.

Here is an original:

I am creating a new document, trying to copy/paste logos and other elements (not just squares in the example) and when they are pasted in, the color swatches are automatically converting to book color. As you can see, that is causing a significant change.

How do I prevent that from happening? Both documents are CMYK.

Thank you!

[Monika Gause]

In the swatches panel menu select "Spot colors". You can change it there.

[hrvv]

Hi Monika,

Thank you for replying. I see what you're saying and I clicked the radial for "Use CMYK values..." However, that did not correct the issue. When copy/pasted the objects are still converting to color mode to book color, even with the CMYK option radial selected.

Any other ideas? Is there a way to set a preference somewhere to prevent this from happening in all documents?

[Monika Gause]

THis needs to be done for each exstining document.

And then you need to do it in the Document profile for all new documents.

[hrvv]

Where do I need to do it in the Document profile for all new documents? Do you have a screenshot?

When I create a new document, the first thing I am doing is going to Swatches Panel, Spot Colors, and selecting "Use CMYK values..." instead of "Use Lab values..." THEN copy/paste the objects, they are still converting to book. If I look at the Swatches Panel, Spot Color options again, it's reverted back to "Use Lab values..."

[hrvv]

Basically, no matter what I'm doing right now, copy pasted objects are converting from CMYK to Book.

[Monika Gause]

THis is how document profiles work:

Startup Profiles – A Great tool to Customize your New Documents « Adobe Illustrator blog

[hrvv]

That link is for CS4 from 2009, but either way I don't think that is my issue. Even if I have a new file started with a correct, CMYK spot color mode, for any object I am copy/pasting the colors are converting to Book/LAB no matter what setting I've changed, and adding the new book swatches to the palette, even if the correct CMYK/Spot color is already on the palette.

[Mike Sofa · Accepted solution]

This will not happen if you avoid using misleading names for swatches. The swatch in the original is called "PANTONE 166 U" which is the name of an actual Pantone color. But it's not a Pantone color, it's a CMYK Spot color.

If you call the swatch "PANTONE 166 U CMYK" or "64M 100Y" or anything else besides an actual Pantone color name, it will not convert.

It's not good practice to give swatches the names of actual Pantone colors when that's not what they really are.

[hrvv]

Thanks Mike! Renaming the color swatches did the trick.

Not to make excuses, but I inherited a library of files from another designer and just missed that technicality. I am aware it's not a good idea to name things like that, and that's one of a variety of other things I need to do to recreate all the files using best practices.

[Monika Gause]

Your issues might be realted to this: Pantone Plus color libraries

[hrvv]

Thanks Monika

[Mike Sofa]

Glad to be of help.

I work in Prepress, and we get files with the same problem all the time.

[hrvv]

More power to you, Mike. My first job out of college I had to do all of my own prepress and it's just my personality to get it right and not make headaches for printers. I got good enough that at my second job, they had me reviewing other designer's files. Not fun haha.