How to find a color from imported pdf

[Alberto Andreuzzi]

Dear Community,

I have imported a pdf file in Illustrator and would like to find what colors have been used for the artwork.

I am trying to reproduce the company logo, which I have only in pdf from a scanned letterhead, since the original artwork has gone missing.

Thanks in advance for any help and have a nice day!

Alberto

[Mylenium · Accepted solution]

There's no way to determine any of that from a scanned, i.e. pixel-based image. Whatever sampling you do with the eyedropper, be that in AI or Photoshop can be completely wrong or just by sheer luck correct. Now take your pick. That being the case, it would be best if you dig out an actual Pantone fan and compare it with the physical version of the letterhead or put it under a print spectrometer to measure the colors for a potentially closer match. Otherwise simply settle on defining new colors based on your experience. perhaps they won't even mind a slight CI refresher with some better colors...

Mylenium

[Alberto Andreuzzi]

Hi Mylenium,

Many thanks for your reply.

I will be following your advice and see what comes out 🙂

Have a nice day!

Alberto