Inconsistent Color Changes in High-Res PDF Exports from InDesign

[SimonHalls]

I have just saved several InDesign documents, all with the same background colour - set as a CMYK colour for consistency.

BUT when I export the documents to print as High res PDFs, some of the colour splits on the back ground colour change.

Its only random documents, not all of them. I have found a work around - copy all the images etc from the original document, and paste it onto a new document, then it works. 

Its not ideal, as it shouldn't happen in the first place. 

Thoughts?

<Title renamed by MOD>

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @SimonHalls,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience. I understand how frustrating it can be to deal with inconsistent color output in your PDFs.

The issue you’re describing could be related to color management settings or possible document corruption. You can try few steps: 

1. Check Color Management Settings:
   - Go to 'Edit' > 'Color Settings' and ensure your settings are consistent with your printing requirements. Make sure that the color profile used in InDesign matches the one used for exporting PDFs.

2. Check Export Settings:
   - When exporting to PDF, review the settings under the 'Output' tab to ensure the color conversion settings are correct. Make sure you are using the right color profile for your output.

3. Ensure that your document color mode is set to CMYK for print. You can check this in 'File' > 'Document Color Mode'.

4. Ensure you’re using the latest version of InDesign as updates often fix bugs related to color and export issues.

5. Clear InDesign Preferences:
   -To do this, hold down 'Ctrl' (Windows) or 'Cmd' (Mac) while launching InDesign and follow the prompts to reset preferences. Reference: Set preferences in Adobe InDesign

If the problem persists, your workaround of copying content into a new document is a good temporary solution, but it shouldn’t be necessary. For further reference, you might find this discussion helpful: Solved: PDF export problem with colour conversion - Adobe Community - 11887701. 

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[SimonHalls]

I am using the same PDF preset for all 70 odd pieces of artwork some colours are correct, others incorrect. I use the same basic settings for all artwork, only when I'm sending to print do I specify the output profile. On this occaision, I have used the same PDF settings.

[rob day]

BUT when I export the documents to print as High res PDFs

Hi @SimonHalls , How are you measuring the CMYK values in the exported PDF? Are you using AcrobatPro’s Output Preview panel? Does it happen if you Export to one of the default PDF/X presets with no alterations?

[SimonHalls]

Yes, I'm using the  the output preview. I have used the same PDF presets  across all 70 odd pieces of artwork. some are correct others incorrect

[rob day]

I have used the same PDF presets

Show a screen capture of your PDF preset’s Output tab

[rob day]

Its not ideal, as it shouldn't happen in the first place.

There are a number of ways the Output tab could be set that would cause a conversion on Export, or simulate a conversion in AcrobatPro. For example setting the Destination to Working CMYK might cause a conversion—depends on whether the current Color Settings CMYK Working happens to conflict with the document’s assigned CMYK profile.

This could cause a conversion:

If you want native CMYK color values to Export unchanged, make sure the Destination is set to Document CMYK - , and don’t include a profile.

This would not cause a conversion:

[SimonHalls]

My settings are exactly the same for all 70  plus pieces of artwork there are only 30/40 that are incorrect - the remainder using the same PDF settings come out correct.

That is my issue - not what colour setting I am/should/suggested i use.

[rob day]

I'm not asking about your Color Settings, it's the Output tab of your Export preset I want to see.

[rob day]

Also, could you share one of the PDFs that exported with the wrong CMYK values and let us know what the original values are?

[Willi Adelberger]

1. Is the output color profile the same?
2. Why did you use CMYK images? Use RGB images and convert upon PDF export.

[SimonHalls]

Yes exactly the same pres et for all 70 odd pieces

[Willi Adelberger]

You did not answer my question.

[SimonHalls]

Its the back ground colour nothing to do with an image. For consistency I have created a speciific colour (as supplied by the client) to create a 'standard' colour that I can use on all documents.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@SimonHalls

Do you have shadows or transparency effects on the "affected" pages?

Or maybe your file get corrupted - and copying contents to a new file fixes it? 

[rob day]

and copying contents to a new file fixes it?

It’s worth noting that on a copy and paste, if the source and destination documents have different assigned CMYK profiles (Edit>Assign Profiles..., not Color Settings>Working CMYK), and the destination document’s assigned profile happens to match the Export preset Output tab’s Destination profile, that would "fix" the problem.

Generally speaking if you want to export a document to all CMYK color and keep the document’s CMYK values, the Destination should always be set to Document CMYK, with no profiles included