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May 1, 2021
Question

Exporting print PDFs to different output intents.

  • May 1, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 6305 views

I have my Adobe CC set to Europe Prepress 3 as we have been working within the Fogra 39 space for processing and outputting our high res PDFs. However we recently acquired a new printer with a Durst Workflow RIP, which it seems requests ISO v2 as its preferred/default.

 

I may have to start outputting to either of the two destinations (Caldera/Fogra 39 or Durst Workflow/ISOv2) on the fly depending on which printer / RIP we are printing to for a particular job.

 

Is it just a straight forward case of continuing to work in my current space and then choosing the output destination / output intent depending on requirements, or do I have to change working colour spaces depending upon the requested output method? I currently output as PDF X-4 with Fogra 39 as the destination/output intent.

 

Any tips appreciated. I’ve been working the same way for so long that I’ve become rusty on some of the theory.

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3 replies

rob day
rob day
Community Expert
May 3, 2021

How can I tell if I have a template that was created with different colour policy, and how do I change it to the current settings? (I appreciate this is a bit of a schoolboy question)

 

Also, If you check the Color Settings’ Ask When Opening, you’ll get a warning when you open a document that was created with a CM Policy that conflicts with the current Color Settings Policy, and you’ll get an option to change the existing Policy:

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Spier
Peter Spier
Community Expert
May 1, 2021

I think specifying "Convert to Destination" in the Output section of the Export dialog (and specifying the new output intent as the destination) should preserve the color appearance, though it will change the numbers. 

 

Why not make a sample file and try outputting two PDFs to compare?

    Peter Spier
    Peter Spier
    Community Expert
    May 1, 2021

    I see Rob answered while I was thinking.

     

    I'm not sure preserving the numbers for for document-built swatches is really the way to go, myself. I would think matching the appearance as closely as possible across the two devices would be your goal so you are not locked into one or the other, but I definitely respect Rob's expertise here.

      rob day
      rob day
      Community Expert
      May 3, 2021
      Thanks again.

      How can I tell if I have a template that was created with different colour policy, and how do I change it to the current settings? (I appreciate this is a bit of a schoolboy question)

      If all CMYK swatches within a document each total less than 300% and I export from an F39 workspace to ISO v2 (300%) using Convert to Destination (Preserve Numbers) I assume these will remain intact? Eg 0/100/85/0 or 100/100/50/49 (whatever that looks like) will remain unchanged and will be fine and the single colour black or tint of (0/0/0/75 for example) will remain unchanged and will be fine. However if a swatch totals more than 300% it will be clipped in some way by the rip when printing? Also areas of image that are over 300% will be clipped too?

      Generally we are matching to specified PMS colours either using a spot (the print room can map spot colour replacement) or CMYK breakdown.

      I assume these will remain intact? Eg 0/100/85/0 or 100/100/50/49 (whatever that looks like) will remain unchanged and will be fine and the single colour black or tint of (0/0/0/75 for example) will remain unchanged and will be fine.

       

      Yes. With the embedded profiles ignored the CMYK values will place unchanged in the document (check color values with Separation Preview).  The values will also export unchanged if the Output>Color Conversion is set to Convert to Destination (Preserve Numbers) or No Color Conversion— No Color Conversion lets you choose any Output Intent.

       

      However if a swatch totals more than 300% it will be clipped in some way by the rip when printing?

       

      No. The profile limits the ink only when there is a color conversion—you can create CMYK builds that exceed the total ink. The 100|100|100|100 Registration swatch would aslo export unchanged), but a 0|0|0 RGB or Lab swatch would convert to the destination profile’s ink limit.

       

      Starting with CS6, the Pantone+ Solid Colors are defined as Lab not CMYK, so if you set the Lab colors to Process, they would get converted to the destination profile on export and the total ink limit would be honored.

       

       

        rob day
        rob day
        Community Expert
        May 1, 2021

        The output CMYK color appearance using either profile is virtually identical—Fogra 39 allows more total ink at 330% vs. 300%. Here’s the soft proof of Fogra39 (top) and ISOv2 (bottom):

         

         

         

         

        So if you make sure all of your placed images are edited in a large RGB space (i.e. AdobeRGB) and saved with an embedded profile, you could assign the appropriate CMYK profile to the InDesign document before exporting (Edit>Assign Profiles).

         

        By default PDF/X-4 uses the document’s assigned profile as the Output Intent. On Export you could choose to convert RGB color including placed images to Document CMYK, and protect built document CMYK swatches by setting the Conversion to Convert to Destination (Preserve Numbers). Or you could do no color conversion and let the printer convert the RGB images at output and assume they will use the Output Intent profile:

         

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