PNG bar code in Rich Black can't change it to 100% black

[scottpigeon33]

I have a GS1 bar code that has to be in 100% black. The PNG supplied by GS1 is coming out as rich black in ai. I have tried everything (10 hours trying and counting) but cannot get the black to change correctly.

We have tried changing it to red, to see if we can do that but no luck.

So, how does one change a rich black PNG into a 100% black?

Thanks!

p,s We are using the latest Adobe Illustrator.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @scottpigeon33,

Thanks for reaching out. Would you mind trying to change the Appearance of Black for Export under Illustrator's preferences and checking if it helps?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[scottpigeon33]

Hey Anu

Current settings are display and output all blacks accurately. This is necessary for the rest of the product the bar code is attached to? We sadly don't see hpw this will change anything.

To us it should be simple to open the bar caode as a separate file, ensure it is 100% black and then import it into the finished artwork. We can't change it in it's own file?  Ay idea what we are doing wrong?

Thanks

[Ton Frederiks]

Try to select the PNG (needs to be embedded) and choose Edit > Edit Colors > Convert to Grayscale

[scottpigeon33]

Thx Ton,

When we open and select the image, choose Edit > Edit Colours then "Convert to gretscale" is greyed out.

is the "needs to be embedded" bit the issue?

[Ton Frederiks]

Probably, linked files cannot be changed.

[scottpigeon33]

Doh! Any idea how to open it without linking it?

[Ton Frederiks]

You can do it afterwards (click Embed image) or do it during placing, select Options in the Place dialog and uncheck Link.

[scottpigeon33]

we have it in as an image now (as opposed to a link) but still can't do anything with it. Would like to turn it green to see if it works but no luck 😞

[Ton Frederiks]

Can you share the PNG file?

[scottpigeon33]

Very silly question, how do I attache the png? Do I attach it as a photo?

[Ton Frederiks]

yes, attach as a photo in the reply:

[scottpigeon33]

[Test Screen Name]

You're working in CMYK? If so, black in a PNG is certain to be rich black, since a PNG can never be greyscale, nor CMYK. Open it in Photoshop, turn it to greyscale. Save a TIFF (not PNG, because that turns it back to RGB) and not JPEG.

[Ton Frederiks]

No need to open it in Photoshop, just convert it to Greyscale in Illustrator.

[scottpigeon33]

Thx, will hold fire on this whilst I explore ai. Can't believe how long this is taking!

[scottpigeon33]

Thx, will hold fire on this whilst I explore ai. Can't believe how long this is taking!

[Ton Frederiks]

Photoshop can save a greyscale PNG which separates correctly when placed in Illustrator.

[scottpigeon33]

Have tried in Photshop, but get grey lines around the bars... I'm not sure this will pass?

[Ton Frederiks]

Looks like resampling, your PNG  opens crisp in Photoshop, but you don't need Photoshop for what you want.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

It's antialiasing in color and GS images.

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

Thanks, I downloaded your PNG, placed it embedded (although you can embed it afterwards using the, Control, Links or Properties panel), selected it and went to Edit > Edit Colors >  Convert to Greyscale.

I checked it by opening the Window > Separations Preview and turning off black to see if any other colors were present.

[scottpigeon33]

Ok, let me try this again. Will be as quick as poss.

[scottpigeon33]

Dang Nabbit, that works. Think we got to focused on turning it red to see if we could understand the process. We didn't check the separations preview. School boy error.

Thank you Ton, at least I can get some sleep this eve :).

[scottpigeon33]

... we also we not embeding the image! Who knew!