Can't solve dull colors in InDesign, so now I generate my print-ready pdf's in Affinity Publisher

[PJK2001]

Headline is not meant as a provocation, but I have simply given up trying to figure out how to get the same colors in my print-ready pdfs that are in my cmyk-files. As soon as it goes thru InDesign, everything becomes dull. I've read so many treads here on how to solve them, but the result stays the same.

25 years of experience and I can no longer get the colors I want, at least not in InDesign.

I'm sure it's just a box I need to check/uncheck, but I have given up trying to find it.

So now I export my InDesign jobs as IDML, open them in Affinity and generate the pdfs there, and they look just right. Certanly not an ideal workflow, but that's what it has come down to for me.

Not here to promote AP at all, but for me, InDesign is now too convoluted with regards to color consistency.

[rob day]

Hi @PJK2001 , Are you Exporting to one of the PDF/X presets with the Output tab’s Output Intent Profile set as Document CMYK and viewing the PDF in AcrobatPro with Output Preview turned on? That always gives me a match.

Here the document’s assigned CMYK profile is Coated GRACoL, and the Export is to the default PDF/X-4 preset:

[PJK2001]

Hi Rob –no, but I just tried, to no avail. I even went back to photoshop to re-check the assigned color profile and then made five more atempts, using different pdf-setings. Result is the same: Dull, dull, dull...

I get that I'm the one who is doing it wrong. But for the life of me I can't figure out why.

[rob day]

Can you share or attach the InDesign file and exported PDF?

[PJK2001]

That's an amazing offer, Rob! However since it's a job for a paying client, I would prefere not to share documents here. Do you have an email I can send to? Or maybe Messenger?

[rob day]

If you click on my avatar you should be able to send a direct message with a link. Share the files via a file sharing servic like Dropbox.

[rob day]

Or just attach the ID an PDF test files that you screen captured in your first post.

[rob day]

I get a perfect match with the PDF named Sixt Hanger X4.pdf—both the Output Intent preview and the output numbers match what I’m seeing in InDesign. The InDesign document’s assigned CMYK profile is Euroscale Coated, and the PDF/X-4’s Output Intent is also Euroscale Coated. Are you running the latest AcrobatPro with Output Preview turned on? Should look like this:

The PDF named Sixt Hanger feb 2023AP.pdf is not PDF/X and its color was converted to Coated Fogra 39, I assume by setting the Output tab’s Destination CMYK profile to FOGRA—or was this exported from Affinity Pro?. Is the destination press profile Euroscale Coated or Coated FOGRA?

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi @PJK2001 ,

Just following up on the issue. Has the suggestion shared by Rob helped? Feel free to update the discussion if you still need help.

Thanks

Rishabh