RGB to CMYK turns colors grey

[nitzankrivine]

Hi,

I downloaded an illustration from a paying website and it's in RGB

I wanted to use it in a CMYK file but when I copied it it turns grey.

If I try to convert the file to CMYK before copying, it turns grey.. 

Any idea why this happens? The colors aren't especially bright (it's a splash of chocolate)

I tried to attach the AI file but it didn't let me because of this error:

The attachment's chocolate.ai content type (application/postscript) does not match its file extension and has been removed.

So I attached a PDF.

Any help would be appreciated..

Thanks!

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Most probably it's because of blending modes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tiqm5hdQA5A

Solution: Rasterize the complete artwork and then convert to CMYK in Photoshop. Or don't convert and then put the RGB file into the layout and have InDesign convert it while output. Or have everything properly color managed and if the printer accepts PDF-X/4, send them that. 

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

You could try to select all and choose Object > Flatten Transparency before using it in a CMYK document.