Same Links, different colors

Report · Jul 01, 2019

Hi,

I created a new indesign document file, then I copied and pasted Links (.ai) from another Indesign file with the same color settings. the colours appear slightly different. I double checked the color settings again but they are exactly the same in both files! How is it possible that they appear different? Is there any other settings that could interfere?

Here the two screenshot of the 2 files with the same link:

Original file

New file:

And here are my color settings:

Report · Jul 02, 2019

Check the three boxes "Ask when..." and import the object again (copy/paste) and then apply the proper answer when asked.

If there is a mismatch (and there is one by sure), you'll be asked two options: Preserve numbers or preserve appearance.

Preserve number means you don't mind if there's a change in appearance (perceived colours) because you mind more the inks composition.
Preserve appearance means you let the software use the colour profiles to try to maintain the visual appearance (perceived colours) in spite that that will change then inks of the object brought to the document.

Your choice. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the precise job you are doing. That's is why it is a good idea to have that boxes always checked on.

Fast answer: If it's a picture and it is in RGB and it has its own colour profile, I'd choose "preserve appearance".

Best regards

Report · Jul 08, 2019

Thank you for your reply.

I followed your instructions, but nothing changed. It doesn't ask when I paste. I tried even to copy back to the original document and there the colors are correct. There must be another setting that is interfering.

Report · Jul 08, 2019

Hi,

InDesign Colour management is complex and sometimes, given the improper combination of circumstances, what should work does not work. In any case, the preserve numbers/ appearance explanation applies. So, disregarding InDesign not asking in this particular situation, if you paste from one document into another and the software shows a noticeable change of colours, that means that both documents have a different colour profile (either RGB or CMYK). That's called a profile mismatch. The change of appearance is InDesign trying to translate that difference of colour profiles and showing it in the screen.

Depending on the difference between both profiles, the difference could be rather evident or not. If both profiles are very similar OR the destination colour profile is much bigger than the source one, that difference could be not noticeable or almost.

Besides, both profiles can be very similar in size as colour spaces but their aspect could vary (one more yellowish than the other, for instance).

So, what you are seeing, is InDesign trying to show you that in screen.

If you want to know the source profiles, open Document 1 and got to "Edit - Convert to profile" and take note of the source profiles for RGB and CMYK. Now got to Document 2 and make the same. Compare. I'd bet RGB or/and CMYK do not match between 1 and 2.

If so... That's is what it is: Colour profiles are different colour spaces. You can think of them as 3D shapes. Some are bigger and some are very limited. Colours are points in those 3D spaces. When you translate between them, sometimes there is no correspondence in those points and InDesign (or Photoshop or...) try their best to adapt that difference with different approaches (rendering intents, but that's way too long to tell now).

To cut a long story short: If the destination colour space is similar, you may adapt the difference in colour with minor tweaks. If not, life sucks and you do not have enough colours in the destination space. Life and colour will be duller. Adapt your design.

Hope it helps somehow