Colors change when saving Photoshop file as PDF

[soraya97]

I have a bunch of Photoshop files (all CMYK) that I need to save as a PDF to send to a printer for a colourproof. It is very important that the colours stay exactly as they are in Photoshop. However, whenever I save the Photoshop file as a PDF, the colours change drastically (see image). 

I have tried flattening the image, but this didn't make a difference.

I only have Photoshop (no Illustrator) and I use Windows.

[NB, colourmanagement]

Hi soraya97, this might help ease the confusion:

Your default working colour space [in the Adobe app's 'color settings'] seems to be defined by a profile based on Fogra 39L called 'CoatedFOGRA39.icc' [which was installed by and made by Adobe] 

Fogra 39L is NOT actually a colour space, it’s a set of characterisation data from a printing press and profiles can be made from it. 

The ICC profiles 'ISOcoated_v2_eci.icc' and 'ISOcoated_v2_300_eci.icc' were also created from the Foga 39L characterisation data.

IF your printer specifies ISOcoated_v2_300_eci.icc then that defines a lower TAC [max ink coverage] than the other Fogra 39 based profiles mentioned above 

If you want/need the  CoatedFOGRA39.icc it can be downloaded from the eci.org website.

There is no shame in hiring consultancy to help with this though if tyhats what you think you need. It's a pretty specialist area.

I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

[soraya97]

And I did ask them about the color space yesterday, I just got sent a 15 page document with information, so I just haven't been able to find what I am looking for; color space.

[soraya97]

If I am understanding correctly, I need to ask my printer which of these options I need to select? 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

»If I am understanding correctly, I need to ask my printer which of these options I need to select?«

If you want to maintain color conistency you need to

• first assign the profile of your Working Space – that’s how the CMYK values’ appearance was interpreted so far, after all. 

• Then, if it does not match the actual target Color Space, you need to convert the image (or better a flattened copy) to that Color Space. 

Converting the layered image might cause unintended Changes, possibly barely noticable, possibly noticable and problematic. 

»I just got sent a 15 page document with information, so I just haven't been able to find what I am looking for; color space.«

Then look for »Output Intent«, »Printing conditions«, »ICC Profile«, … 

But don’t expect anyone who does not have that document to tell you where to look exactly.