Quick question on black ink representation on-screen

[turner111]

Hello!

I am working on a book cover - the images for front & back look great (and are grayscale / black ink) - however, the spine has a fill of 100% black, but it appears lighter than the darkest blacks on the PDF.

I haven't noticed this before, so I'm wondering if it's just a screen representation, or if I can / should adjust something.

FWIW, I think it looks much more accurate in Output Preview. That said... what I have set to 100% black in InDesign converts to 91%...?

thanks!

[Eugene Tyson · Accepted solution]

Go to your InDesign PReferences

And look at Appearance of Black

Is On Screen black set to Display All Blacks as Rich Black?

If so switch this.

Also - you can check the separations for colour breakdown in Window>Output>Separations Preview

Hover your mouse over the areas. 

[turner111]

Thanks - this seems to have improved it.

[Eugene Tyson]

Just to note this is on screen only - it has no affect on output - as such - longer story.

What matters are the colour values when you export to PDF.

[turner111]

Actually, changing the setting for "Printing / Exporting" to Accurate seems to have done the trick.

[rob day]

That said... what I have set to 100% black in InDesign converts to 91%...?

When you export the PDF what are the Output>Color settings? Sounds like you might be converting to a Gray profile Destination.

[turner111]

Hi rob -

It's set to No Color Conversion.

[rob day]

Just to clarify, you mean when you check the spine value with AcrobatPro’s Output Preview the value is 91K— 0|0|0|91?

[turner111]

Hey rob -
Yes - however, after adjusting Output > Color settings from Rich to Accurate (for black) it appears to be correct.

[rob day]

You must mean Preferences>Appearnce of Black? 

In Acrobat the Simulation profile you choose in Output Preview affects the Separation values. If you use one of the PDF/X press presets it will include an Output Intent profile which is used as the Simulation profile by default—that will give you the correct output values.