Converting .pdf documents in RGB format to cmyk format for insertion into an Illustrator document?

[lesleyj60625317]

I create product labels in Adobe Illustrator.  I have two text boxes (panels) of information that are generated by another database and the output of these panels are .pdf and RGB colour.  I need these panels to be converted to cmyk for printing purposes. I need a software that can be installed on the computer that generates the initial panels in RGB and will convert them to CMYK.  I will then pick up these panels (now converted to cmyk) and link them into my label that I have produced in Illustrator.  Does anyone have an idea what Adobe software would be able to do this?  Or does anyone have a solution?  I currently use Adobe Creative Suite CS4.  Is there an add-on software that I could buy... or does anyone have a solution?

[Willi Adelberger]

Adobe Acrobat Pro can do this. Either convert with the preflight, or with the command in Print Production. In newer versions you can also use a batch converting.

[Monika Gause]

So there's a lot of copy text in those PDFs?

Black text? Small?

How will it be printed?

When you just convert the color mode, this text will be a mixture of all plates instead of just 100K

That's maybe not what you want. Pit Stop might take care of that.

[lesleyj60625317]

if you can see the image below, the panels either side of the branding are the .pdf RGB text panels. The black text needs to be 100K but there are also other colours e.g red icons on the side that need to be converted to CMYK values.

The template (the branding etc) is produced by Illustrator in CMYK - the 2 text panels either side are imported from an external database and linked to the template in Illustrator. 

We also need to batch convert as we have a high volume of labels to produce.

Also when the database is updated with new information, the linked text panels in Illustrator will automatically update.

Somewhere along this process, these text panels which are RGB, need to be converted to CMYK.

These completed documents are then picked up by the printers - they use Artpro to set the documents up to be digitally printed.

[Test Screen Name]

Most modern printing software accepts RGB, and if it has a profile, does a better job of CMYK conversion than we can. Are you SURE you need to convert? Why?

[lesleyj60625317]

Our printers use a software called Artpro and this prints in CMYK.  We have done test prints using RGB and the quality (especially the text) is pixelated and the black is not 100K. Thanks for your help but I will take the plunge and purchase the Adobe Pro DC.  Fingers crossed this will solve my problem.

[Willi Adelberger]

There should not be any reason for pixelation of text if any color is converted. It happened only in the past, if the printer decided to open that file in Photoshop (or any other not appropriate program for that purpose).

The other thing is the 4c-black. This can happen. Therefore I recommend: use CMYK for text and vectors and RGB (with profile) for any raster image when you create printing files.

[Ton Frederiks]

Like Willi said, Acrobat DC can do that, convert RGB to CMYK and convert RGB gray to Black.

Actions can automate this.