Participating Frequently

Question

Why does every document shows as CMYK

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
April 18, 2023
4 replies
6528 views

If I open a new document and select RGB, it shows washed out colors, and Working CMYK is selected by default in the Proof Setup.

Why? Why doesn't Illustrator Display RGB colors in an RGB document without me having to manually change it? Am I missing something?

Thanks!

Draw and design

dvnatic

Participant

When you save the file for the first time (SaveAs .Ai or .EPS), make sure you uncheck the "Include CMYK PostScript in RGB Files."

Anna Lander

Inspiring

Proof Colors = Printing colors. By default, Printing is the process based on four inks (Cian, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black)). So if your desired printing process is based on some other ink set (e.g. hexachrome), you will not see the proper colors in the Proof Colors mode. And yes, Proof Setup (= Print colors setup) always will be primarily set as Working CMYK. It's its nature.

C

CwykAuthor

Participating Frequently

Hello,

That's what I dont get, though! If it is an RGB file selected from a Web, Film or Illustration preset why would it default to Working CMYK?

If I don't have Proof Colors selected it shows desaturated colors and I have to select Monitor RGB from the Proof Setup for the colors to display as I would expect from an RGB file. I feel like I'm stupid and missing something obvious.

Probably as @Monika Gause says, I really just have to learn me some color stuff :P...

Thanks!

Monika Gause

Community Expert

If I don't have Proof Colors selected it shows desaturated colors and I have to select Monitor RGB from the Proof Setup for the colors to display as I would expect from an RGB file. I feel like I'm stupid and missing something obvious.
By @Cwyk

That should not be the case. There might be issues with your graphic card. Try using View > Preview on CPU: does the preview get better?

If not: You will have to check the color settings on your system. Are those appropriate?

There is a color management section in this Community and you might want to ask there about setting up your system. Still: you will need to educate yourself about the subject.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

You probably open a new document based on a Print Preset and change the Document Color Mode to RGB.

Try opening a new document based on Art & Illustration.

C

CwykAuthor

Participating Frequently

When selecting a document based on Art & Illustration document it defaults to Working RGB too.

Met1

Legend

You should! The whole world is RGB 🌈

All our printers are CMYK, so no need! We can still print rainbows, in fact we just did a bunch of pride flags...

Monika Gause

Community Expert

How do you create a new RGB document?

Correct would be by selecting a web, film & video or mobile document profile form the tabs.

How is your color management set up?

How many monitors are connected and which profile is assigned to them in the system?

C

CwykAuthor

Participating Frequently

I do select an appropriate document profile from the tabs.

My color management setup is very barebones, I dont have multiple monitors or color calibration gadgets. I have a decent Gigbyte Laptop AERO 16 is called and it has a pretty nice screen, I do not have HDR activated, though.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

My color management setup is very barebones,

By @Cwyk

Please tell us your settings in Illustrator. And do yourself a favour and educate yourself about color management.

This is the "barebones" edition. I strongly suggest to learn more than this (There are trainings available on LinkedIn (which are not for free, but maybe available in your local library): https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/color-management.html

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