Unable to convert SPOT COLOR TO CMYK

Also, ink aliasing is scriptable. You could try this script which will import the Bridge CP CMYK process version of locked solid ink Pantone Coated (C) colors and use it as the alias. Here a compiled version:

https://shared-assets.adobe.com/link/02bb254a-30f5-4fc9-584e-66fbd4fb7c95

var d = app.activeDocument;
var ik = d.inks;

var ikn, bn, as, ni;
for (var i = 0; i < ik.length; i++){
    if (!ik[i].isProcessInk) {
        ikn = ik[i].name;
        //check if the Bridge version exists
        bn = ikn.substring(0, ikn.length-1) + "CP";
        if (isPlaced(ikn) && isBridge(bn)) {
            makeAliasSwatch(bn).model = ColorModel.SPOT
            ni = ik.itemByName(bn);
            ik[i].aliasInkName = bn;
            ni.convertToProcess = true;
        } 
    } 
};   

/**
* Check if a swatch is editable 
* @ param swatch name 
* @ return true if the swatch is locked 
*/
function isPlaced(i){
    var b = false
    var sw = app.activeDocument.colors.itemByName(i);
    var s = sw.properties;
    try {sw.space = ColorSpace.CMYK;}catch(e) {b = true}
    sw.properties = s; 
    return b
}

/**
* Makes a new Pantone Bridge swatch 
* @ param swatch name 
* @ return the new swatch 
* 
*/
function makeAliasSwatch(n){
    var c;
    try {
        d.importAdobeSwatchbookProcessColor (n)}catch(e) {c = d.colors.itemByName(n);} 
    return d.colors.itemByName(n);
}

/**
* Check if Bridge swatch exists 
* @ param name to check 
* @ return true if the Bridge version exists 
*/
function isBridge(n){
    var b = true
    try {
        d.importAdobeSwatchbookProcessColor (n)}catch(e) {b = false;}  
    return b
}

This is a bit off topic, but another option is to use an Acrobat preflight profile to map a specific spot color to any desired value. 

Go to Tools> Print Production> Preflight> Fixups.

Find & select the preflight "Map spot colors with specified name and color values", duplicate it from the Options fly-out menu.

Give the new preflight a name, click on the Edit button, set the Source color name (PANTONE 185 C), Destination, and Destination color value, click OK.

Select the new profile and click Fix. All instances of the spot color should be converted, including placed .eps and colored grayscale images.

You can create an Acrobat action that can quickly apply the profile to a file, or a folder of files.

I concur with the others... printing Postscript is NOT the way to go. If that is what you've always done it (which made sense in the early days) it's really waaay past the time to lose that approach.

That being said, since you seem to be concerned about files coming from clients/designers that are set up this way, I'd say ignore the fact it's still a spot colour;

Why? If you are printing to a composite printer using Acrobat, you can chnage the colour to Process in Acrobat's Ink Manager (making suire a correct Output Profile is selected), or even let it be: If your composite printer is colour managed, it will do the conversion for you giving you the best Lab to CMYK conversion it can do.

OR, If you're sending the PDF to a RIP, most RIPs have ways to handle spot colours and and can convert them (and consolidate them) to a common CMYK at that stage for separations/etc.

Don't use EPS in modern times.

Dont print to POstScript in modern times.

Postscript does not support color management. The ink manager is unable to function if you use eps and make postscript files.

Usie AI or PDF/X-4 to place in InDesign.

Create PDFs via Export and not via Postscript.

The behaviour you experience is one of the main problems why no one should use EPS any more nor create PDFs via print.

Hi U16B6,

I do not have Corel Draw installed.

Could you share that simple EPS file?

Thanks,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

I suppose we also should ask why you are using .eps id this is a simple rectangle. Why not simply create it in InDesign? If it's a more complex saving as something other than .eps from the native application -- .psd, .tif, .ai or PDF, for example, mould probably make your life easier.

And why are you still distilling PDF instead of exporting from InDesign?

Hi U16B6,

is the spot color still in an exported PDF/X-4 file?

Please show a screenshot of your ink manager with that spot color.

Thanks,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

What is the SPOT color? Is it associated with an InDesign color swatch? With an established color book like PANTONE? Or is it a spot color you've created and set within InDesign?

As far as assigning CMYK values, You likely have to go back to the source for the placed EPS rectangle and assign it there, rather than expecting InDesign to resolve the color assigned in another application. As an EPS, you could use Adobe Illustrator to open the file and handle the color translation you desire.

Hope this helps,

Randy