PDF exports are turning images pink

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

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)

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

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. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

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

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

Its definitely pink on my end. I've also printed it, and the print is pink, unlike it was in the past.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

The same on my phone - Android and Chrome.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

@Robert at ID-Tasker Forums don't nest replies very well. What "same" is it: gray or pink?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Robert at ID-Tasker Forums don't nest replies very well. What "same" is it: gray or pink?

By @Dave Creamer of IDEAS

First 2 levels display OK. 

Same as you = gray. 

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

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

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Normally, I would say it was a monitor issue but the print concerns me. How did you print it?

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

I printed from the pdf. I'm using the same monitors and computer I've always been using. Something happened when I modified the kpeg and updated the link in InDesign. The original jpeg caused no isses. My photoshop file has many layers. Is it possible one of them was accidentally set to RGB and is causing this?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Photoshop's color mode is for the entire file, not per layer. 

However, check your Object Layers in InDesign incase a layer accidently activated with a pink tint.

What happens if you import the JPEG into a new document?

What happens if you delete and reimport the JPEG?

If nothing seems to fix the problem, can you upload the InDesign files with the graphic (that shows the pink)? Don't need to see any other parts of the documents. 

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

Importing into a new document is the same. Still pink. I've ddeleted and reimported many times. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Importing into a new document is the same. Still pink. I've ddeleted and reimported many times. 

By @STEVEN28465331qzsj

I'll check your file in a moment - as this looks interesting 😉 

And here is a screenshot from my phone: 

 

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

Your screenshot looks great! Not sure why I'm not getting the same result. I can say with confidence Its not my monitor. As I'm looking at other files with no problem. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I looked at your files and they look fine on my end. Did you import the PDF (that you supplied) or the JPEG into InDesign?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

The JPEG looked fine in Photoshop and in InDesign.

I did notice the JPEG was HUGE compared to the InDesign page size (85 x 55 inches at 300 ppi). 

Are you using the default color settings in InDesign?

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

Yes, the image looks fine in both photoshop and indesign. Its the pdf export from indesign that is the problem. 

I think I'm usin default color settings - where do I check that?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Edit menu in InDesign. 

My PDFs looked fine too. I'm getting stumped...

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

I have not edited those. This problem feels familiar to me. It seems like I've had it happen before when file sizes get large. It struggles with the jpegs, but is fine with png. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@STEVEN28465331qzsj 

Just checked your file ... why have you embedded whole JPEG inside INDD file? Just for sharing with me?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@STEVEN28465331qzsj 

Your PDF, after unembedding 😉 low res, attached.

The JPEG itself, looks a bit pinkish - in Paint - almost the same as in your screenshot... 

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

I only did the embed to share with you. But then went through packaging anyway.  The jpeg on my end looks completely normal. Again, its only after pdf export.

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

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?

[Peter Spier]

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?

[STEVEN28465331qzsj]

Tiff is pink. File is too large for a .psd and I need to export various layer configurations anyway.