Script to show what colors are used in Indesign document

[CEES SMIT, Inc.]

Hi I make proofs for clients and manually need to check what swatches are used and add this info in the proof.

is there a script available that can list all colors used in linked files?

In the attached proof you can see on the bottom left color what Pantone color was used.

[Laubender]

Hi boismit,

what do you mean by "colors used in linked files"?

Do you mean placed graphics?

The answer: No. At least not sufficiently.

One perhaps could tell if a placed image is using RGB or CMYK colors, but you cannot tell if a placed PDF is using RGB, CMYK, Lab or Spot Colors of any kind. For that you need to analyse an exported PDF with Acrobat Pro's preflight functionality or a tool like pdfToolbox.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Peter Kahrel]

You can export pages to EPS and read the colours from there.

[rob day · Accepted solution]

From your PDF it seems like you are looking for a list of used Spot and Process Inks. If that’s the case you can get it from the Package Report file—you don’t need to output the Package, just click Report:

[CEES SMIT, Inc.]

Thanks everyone for the comment and tips. Rob it looks like I need what you suggested, but visually it would look nicer if this is shown in the file as a list or rather as a small colored square or so with the color listed.

But I guess the simplest way to get this info is indeed the report.