Converting to destination color space - should I use the working CMYK one?

[Ain5FCD]

I don't fully understand the color profiles and need a bit of help.

Printer requires my pdf file in Fogra52, which is currently both my working CMYK and document CMYK. My pdf options were set on "convert to working cmyk - fogra52". Is this as good as simply converting to fogra52? Do I even need this final conversion?

Over all I'd like to know if it matters whether I convert to working or document cmyk or simply the cmyk profile with no specification. 

[Willi Adelberger]

Use and import RGB images and CMYK graphics and text and colors without profile, export PDF to the color CMYK profile which the printer requires.

In the Color Management settings, keep CMYK values and RGB convert to output profile.

Which output profile you need and tell you your printer. That is the best profile which the printer needs.

[Ain5FCD]

Thank you for the answer! I'm just wondering if "working cmyk - fogra 52" is as good of an output profile as simply "fogra 52". So basically do both of them provide the same output profile of fogra 52? I'm asking because the job is on it's way to the printer and I'm now second guessing if they mean the same profile. 

[Willi Adelberger]

THis is the same profile, it has the same name. Where is your problem?

[Ain5FCD]

I just don't understand the specification of a working profile, that's all. I might be overthinking it! Thank you for the help. 

[rob day]

Hi @Ain5FCD , If your document’s assigned CMYK profile is FOGRA52 (PSO Uncoated v3 (FOGRA 52)) and you set the Destination profile to Document CMYK PSO Uncoated v3 (FOGRA 52), all of your native InDesign colors an swatches will export with their CMYK values unchanged. If there are any RGB or Lab native colors, or you have placed any objects that are not in the FOGRA52 CMYK space, those objects will also be converted to FOGRA52 on Export.

The Working CMYK space is whatever you happen to have currently set in Color Settings, which might not be the same as Document CMYK (the assigned CMYK profile). Generally speaking you normally should export to Document CMYK.

[Ain5FCD]

Got it! So in this case it's fine because both the working and document cmyk were the same intended profile. But from now on I'll be using the document cmyk. Thank you for the help!