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Question

PDF exports are turning images pink

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
March 15, 2025
7 replies
8192 views

Hey everyone, I'm really struggling here. Working on a document in indesign, in which i've imported jpegs (created in photoshop). Everything was going well, then I modified and saved a new Jpeg. Updated the link in InDesign, and now the pdf exports are pink. (primarily in the white areas of the black and white images).

I know that this often has to do with color profiles, but I cant seem to find the problem.

Using InDesign 2025

Photoshop file is in CMYK mode.

InDesign document is in Print mode.

Transparency Blend space set to CMYK (though also tried RGB)

I've tried exporting to pdf using all the preset options.

I've tried modifying output settings to "no color conversion" as well as "convert to destination"

Any suggestions?

(PDF attached. The original images have a pure grayscale background, no warmth or pink)

8.pdf

Import and export

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

@STEVEN28465331qzsj

You're Windows based, right?

If Windows 11 - can you check your latest system updates?

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/another-broken-win11-update-kb5053598-is-coming/td-p/15212303

S

STEVEN28465331qzsjAuthor

Participating Frequently

@Robert at ID-Tasker @Dave Creamer of IDEAS @Brad @ Roaring Mouse @Peter Spier

Ok. I've discovered something. As mentioned above, we use Revu (industry standard). We've been doing this, and never had trouble.

I just opened the pdf in Revu, and its pink. The exact same pdf in Acrobat looks fine.

So I guess Revu is the culprit. But why? I was using Revu before the issue started. Perhps Revu triggers some type of downsampling or conversion with files that exceed a certain file size.

I'll go bang my head on a brick wall now.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

Did we discuss viewing the PDF in Bluebeam Revu previously? I might have missed it.

Check it's color management settings. Downsampling shouldn't affect the color that much but conversion could.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

Brad @ Roaring Mouse

Community Expert

@STEVEN28465331qzsj . If you open your PDF into Photoshop as a CMYK document, how does it look there?

If you are seeing it pink there, then your system is definitely seeing things different than I (we?) are.

S

STEVEN28465331qzsjAuthor

Participating Frequently

It looks perfectly fine.

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

I bet, that at the end - it will be something trivial 😉

Brad @ Roaring Mouse

Community Expert

Your PDF is fine here, too. The image looks grey on my system.*

The image in the PDF is untagged Document CMYK, so it would take on whatever profile you have selected in your Simulation Profile in Acrobat. If you select a different Simulation Profiles, does it stay pink?

Also, what ARE your Color Settings for your apps (InDesign and Acrobat), and are they Synced (Check in Bridge if not).

If they are something standard, and you're still getting pink, then your monitor is out of whack somehow.

* a typical sample 7C 6M 6Y 19K... defintely not pink in the CMYK. That being said, light tints like this made out of CMYK are VERY difficult to print, as even a minor shift of any of the C, M, or Y will give a colour cast. You might consider changing your background to being made soley from K.

S

STEVEN28465331qzsjAuthor

Participating Frequently

As noted originally, photoshop is in CMYK mode and InDesign is in print. Yes, synch is on.

I'm unsure of what simulation profiles are though.

I assure you, there is nothing wrong with my monitors. This is a problem only with this file.

I've opened the problematic pdf on several other computers and its all the same. Unsure why noone else in adobe community is seeing it, unless I'm just much more sensitive to the color change since I know what it looked like previously.

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

@STEVEN28465331qzsj

Do you have the old / good version?

S

STEVEN28465331qzsjAuthor

Participating Frequently

S

STEVEN28465331qzsjAuthor

Participating Frequently

Here is the jpeg, which doesn't have the pink tone.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

It shows gray on my system--viewing the PDF directly in the forums, downloading and viewing in Chrome, and directly in Acrobat Pro.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

S

STEVEN28465331qzsjAuthor

Participating Frequently

Posted the jpeg below,, which does not have the pink tone.

Peter Spier

Community Expert

I've discovered a work around. If I export as a png, updfate the link in InDesign, and export to pdf using the same settings, the pdf looks as it should. No pink anymore. Does that help us determine anything?

I've discovered a work around. If I export as a png, updfate the link in InDesign, and export to pdf using the same settings, the pdf looks as it should. No pink anymore. Does that help us determine anything?

By @STEVEN28465331qzsj

.png is really not a good format for print. What happens if you save this in Photoshop as .psd or even layered .tif and import that to Indesign?

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

Can you post a sample INDD file - just one page with all links on this page?

Can be privately if you prefer - please click my nickname and send me a link.

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