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Cicely21763980xcpy
Participating Frequently
July 25, 2022
Answered

Need to convert a transparant file to CMYK

  • July 25, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 1066 views

Hi all,

 

I have two .png files (that were originally .svg) that I need to convert to CMYK for printing. I need to retain the transparent areas.

 

Does anyone know if this is possible in InDesign, or if I need a different programme, how to do it? 

 

Thanks 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer rob day

Sorry - it's uploaded them the other way around. The one with the link on the frame is the InDesign screenshot


Looks like it might be a “stitching” artifact from transparency flattening. Does it happen if you export using the PDF/X-4 preset?

2 replies

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 25, 2022

Hi @Cicely21763980xcpy , if you have the original vector .svg, you can open the .svg into Illustrator, and set the File>Document Color Mode to CMYK, edit the vectors to your desired CMYK values, and Save As Illustrator .ai format. Do not include a color profile if you don’t want the CMYK values to be adjusted via color management down stream.

 

If all you have is .PNG. you can open it into Photoshop, convert to CMYK without flattening, and Save As .PSD. InDesign and Photoshop share the same color management, so you can also place the .PNG and make the conversion to CMYK on Export to PDF by setting a CMYK Destination in the Export>Output tab, which will convert all of the document RGB colors and objects to the chosen CMYK space.

    C
    Cicely21763980xcpyAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    July 25, 2022

    Ah thank you! The only problem I have now is that when I've exported the PDF, an X from the frame around the .PNG (created within InDesign) is visible? Image attached - first one is the PDF, second one is what it looks like within InDesign.

    C
    Cicely21763980xcpyAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    July 25, 2022

    Sorry - it's uploaded them the other way around. The one with the link on the frame is the InDesign screenshot

    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 25, 2022

    Images should normally be in RG with profile in printing document.

    But your image is a graphic. Never use PNG for printing.

    Open your SVG in Illustrator, save as AI or PDF/X-4. In Illuustrator you can change the mode to CMYK and clean up the colors.

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