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colind36145276
Known Participant
March 25, 2022
Answered

Illustrator's colours are DULL on external monitors

  • March 25, 2022
  • 5 replies
  • 4001 views

This issue has been around for years for many users and I still haven't found a fix on these forums. If anyone has a new idea PLEASE HELP - this issue is driving me crazy.

Illustrator cannot render CMYK colours accurately on an external monitor. Every other program including Adobe programs with the same colour settings display an accurate colour, but Illustrator shows something that is way off. I have tried multiple computers and screens all calibrated with a Spyder. Prints from illustrator files come out correct but in order to proof them I have to check the file on my laptop.

Please if you have any ideas help! I have already gone through Adobe remote support and they gave up, as well as Nvidia (my graphics card) Remote support.

I have used both a Dell Ultrasharp and a Thinkvision p27u and the problem persists.

Correct answer sarah_0731

Hello!

I know this reply is years later, and you have probably solved your problem by now. But for anyone else who may come across this thread, I had the same issue and found a solution that worked for me! 

In Illustrator go to:
Settings > Performance > Uncheck "GPU Performance" > Click "OK" > Voila!!

I don't know why, but that fixed it! Hope that helps someone!

5 replies

S
sarah_0731Correct answer
Participant
November 7, 2024

Hello!

I know this reply is years later, and you have probably solved your problem by now. But for anyone else who may come across this thread, I had the same issue and found a solution that worked for me! 

In Illustrator go to:
Settings > Performance > Uncheck "GPU Performance" > Click "OK" > Voila!!

I don't know why, but that fixed it! Hope that helps someone!

    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 7, 2024

    deleted. Wrong program...

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    Brad @ Roaring Mouse
    Community Expert
    Brad @ Roaring MouseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 28, 2022

    Apart from making sure your Color Settings are the same for both docuemnts, you need to make sure that a profile is actually ASSIGNED to the document. Check under Edit > Assign Profile.

     

    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Community Expert
    Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 28, 2022

    This isn't an issue with monitor calibration or profiles. 

    If you look at the original attachment - it shows varied colors at the source.

     

    The color profiles are mismatched as indicated by the second screenshots

     

    AI is set to North American General Purpose and PS is set to SWOP.

    Use Bridge to choose one and apply to all your CC apps so they will all be synced to the same color profile setting.

     

    C
    colind36145276Author
    Known Participant
    March 28, 2022

    Hi Kevin, thanks again.

    I've attached below the bridge dialog with a syncronized colour profile. In this new screenshot you can see that they still look very different.

    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Community Expert
    Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 28, 2022

    One is RGB the other is CMYK.

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    March 26, 2022

    Another question that might help uncover issues... since the problem show up with a simple red and blue, please let us know the actual CMYK colour values you use for the red and the blue. 

    Also, you say "external monitor". That suggests that internal monitors are ok. Yes? What internal monitor/ laptop model?

      C
      colind36145276Author
      Known Participant
      March 28, 2022

      The red colour I used for this demo screenshot is the same on both PS and AI: R:255 G:0 B:0 which is C:0 M:95 Y:91 K:0%

      The Blue is R:0 G:0 B:255/ C:93 M:75 Y:0 K:0

      And yes the monitor screen shows AI colours correctly compared to all other programs. It is a Gigabyte Aero with the OLED screen

      Kevin Stohlmeyer
      Community Expert
      Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 25, 2022

      What color profile are you using both PS and AI - not CMYK, the specific color profile found under Edit/Color settings?

      Send a screen shot of both. Im curious what the registration icon shows in the top left - is it solid or does it appear that a piece is split out?

      C
      colind36145276Author
      Known Participant
      March 25, 2022

      Hi Kevin thanks for the reply, I've attached screenshots of my colour settings. What registration icon are you speaking of? Not sure what I'm looking for!

      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Community Expert
      Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 26, 2022

      What are your monitor profiles set to?

      Just to clarify, what are the actual monitor brands/models you are currently using?

       

      David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
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