Export for screens doesn't support print files

[ezz236]

Hi,

while working in Illustrator me and my colleague noticed that using the "export for screens" option in Illustrator while exporting CMYK files isn't working very well.

In fact, if you a have for example a 100% Black only element in CMYK profile, when you export with this tool (maybe to save time if you need lot of different files or got several artboards) the saved file doesn't maintain the 100% black color, instead it will be change into a rich black (which is not very cool for printing).

Is there maybe some settings to do to avoid this action or is it just that export for screen is a tool for web only exports?

Thank you so much

[Doug A Roberts]

well it's there in the name of the function...

what file type are you exporting?

[ezz236]

You're right,

unfortunately it was very handful to export many versions of a logo for brand manuals, when you want to export pdf, svg, jpeg and png in one shot. I will use it only for web stuff, hoping that Adobe will maybe improve this handy tool.

Thank you!

[Doug A Roberts]

you could use it to export CMYK PDFs as long as you have an appropriate PDF setting saved.

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

A screen is an RGB device, so Export for screens converts to RGB, giving you an RGB black.

Try to export to a format that better supports CMYK like TIFF or PSD.

[KneeDeepinSandwiches]

They created a way to export multiple formats of multiple artboards in a way their old broken system couldn't but then they said, but couldn't we also break this system too by making it convert everything to RGB. Yes, we can completely neuter the new functionality by just adding this one detail. Do it, said the Adobe engineers. Make it worse on purpose. Why is Adobe like this?

[Monika Gause]

It's called "Export for Screens" for a reason.

Youcan use it to export Print PDFs if you set up a PDF preset in the options.

If you want it to do more, why not make a feature request? http://illustrator.uservoice.com

[KneeDeepinSandwiches]

Well then maybe they should have called it "Export for Whatever" and not been stupid about it.

[Ton Frederiks]

You can export to CMYK PDF and JPEG.

PNG and SVG are RGB ONLY.

[KneeDeepinSandwiches]

If you already know that you have to drill down into the settings icon to tell it you want it to save file the way you have them already set. By default it saves them in the smallest format possible like a casual user who wouldn't;t know how to set up a document might want them. It's more of Adobe moving toward little graphic toys rather than professional tools. Now to use this software professionally we're expected to step over the limitations of the casual user and find where to turn the rigid controls back on. I'm sick of trying to figure out how to swing the software back to doing specifically what I want every time there is an update. 

[Ton Frederiks]

If you want it to work different, mention it here where the development team will notice it:

 http://illustrator.uservoice.com