Save Spot color Illustrator file to CMYK pdf

[DJ46648896]

Hi Team,

Please advise how to save an illustrator file with spot colors to CMYK pdf. I know it is possible using print option and converting from.ps file.

But i need to know the possibilities of doing it through save as pdf option.

Thanks & Regards,

Dj

[jdanek]

Save As > PDF ( you will see settings on the left side of the dialog box > Output > Color > Convert to Destination > Destination = Working CMYK ).  You could also create a copy of the original file using CMYK color swatches that replace your existing Pantone swatches.  But, that gets a bit complicated. 

[DJ46648896]

Thanks for the reply. I tried what you have suggested but it also not working! Still i see the spot colors in the pdf output preview.

Can you please save and share the pdf preset ?

[Bill Silbert]

The method of making a pdf from an exported postscript file using Acrobat Distiller is an out-of-date method that for the most part should not be used. Making a pdf as the previous poster said is the best way to go.

[Peter Villevoye]

There are many ways to do it.

The easiest is to simply select all artwork and use the command Edit > Edit Colors > Convert to CMYK to quickly convert any Pantone (PMS) color to Process (CMYK) values. Be sure to Undo this step after saving the PDF, if you want to retain a version of your file with spot colors, or just make a separate version of the AI file.

Want to check what's happening beforehand ? Use the Windows > Separation Preview to see which Pantone inks are in use in your artwork, and perhaps manually change these swatches to Process.

A bit late to the party, old-fashioned and cumbersome is indeed to use your own method: creating a PostScript file by using the Print command and let Pantone inks convert to Process.  Don't do that...

And in case you've already created the PDF including the Pantone inks, then use the Ink Manager in Acrobat to convert them.

It's never too late to convert RGB or Pantone to Process...

However, using the method JDanek suggested will only convert and correct color spaces in Process colors. It ignores any Pantones...

[DJ46648896]

And in case you've already created the PDF including the Pantone inks, then use the Ink Manager in Acrobat to convert them.

Could you able to save the converted process color pdf using this method ? I could not!

[Peter Villevoye]

Look for the Ink Manager (it depends a lot on your version of Acrobat, which menu or panel to look for, but it's in there, somewhere...)

Adobe Help: Print production tools overview in Acrobat Pro (2017 and DC)

Here it is in Acrobat Pro XI, under the Tools section for Print Production:

Check the option in the lower part of the panel, to convert spot colors to process.

[DJ46648896]

Yes I did this, but i could not save this pdf. I tried to save as and reopen the pdf still it shows the spot colours. I think this option is only for viewing purpose.

[Ton Frederiks]

You need to convert the spots in Acrobat using the Convert Colors dialog.

Choose by Matching Criteria > Color Type > Spot Color.

[Peter Villevoye]

Then try using Convert Colors (in the same set of tools) to find any object with a spot color and convert it to process with your preferred profile and method. Below, part of its dialogue (in Dutch).

[DJ46648896]

Yes it works! Thank you.

However i got a information from Adobe that it is not possible in illustrator to directly save the pdf as composite.