Skip to main content
bradyc00
Participant
May 13, 2019
Answered

Photoshop PDF Passes Causing File to Change Lettering Colour

  • May 13, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 3351 views

Recently I have noticed when I am exporting files to PDF that are in CYMK workspace, portions of lettering that I am using gets changed to another colour that was used within the workspace. The version of Photoshop I am currently using is 20150529.r.88 x64 on Windows 10. Most of my work has been used on a Desktop and now currently using my laptop. When exporting my files to PDF I always use the "High Quality" preset on my Desktop and never had this issue. When exporting the file to JPG it doesn't change any colours.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Daniel E Lane

It depends on where you are choosing to make the files CMYK. Are you doing it on the PSD, then saving or are you converting on export? If you are converting on export, stop. The color conversion there is not that great. Your best bet would be to duplicate your PSD if you want to keep a clean RGB version, then change the duplicate version to the CMYK that you want. Once its converted and you have adjusted colors to be how you want them, then save it off as a PDF. Also, what PDF Preset are you using? {High Quality Print}? PDF/X-1a:2001? PDF/X-4:2008? Press Quality? All of those make a difference as to how the PDF handles colors. I'm guessing you are sending this to a printer since you are messing around with CMYK. As your printer what format they want it saved in and go from there.

2 replies

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 13, 2019

If I understand correctly you could employ the work-around of converting the Type Layer to a Shape Layer (Type > Convert to Shape).

Daniel E Lane
Daniel E LaneCorrect answer
Inspiring
May 13, 2019

It depends on where you are choosing to make the files CMYK. Are you doing it on the PSD, then saving or are you converting on export? If you are converting on export, stop. The color conversion there is not that great. Your best bet would be to duplicate your PSD if you want to keep a clean RGB version, then change the duplicate version to the CMYK that you want. Once its converted and you have adjusted colors to be how you want them, then save it off as a PDF. Also, what PDF Preset are you using? {High Quality Print}? PDF/X-1a:2001? PDF/X-4:2008? Press Quality? All of those make a difference as to how the PDF handles colors. I'm guessing you are sending this to a printer since you are messing around with CMYK. As your printer what format they want it saved in and go from there.

bradyc00
bradyc00Author
Participant
May 14, 2019

The file that I am working with is all in CMYK rather than RGB and when I am ready to save, I save as a PSD first if needed to come back and make changes and then for the final product I do the same but as a PDF. File > Save As > PDF. Keep in mind I am using CC 2015 rather than the newest version but that shouldn't be the problem. The preset that I begin to use is High Quality Print, no modifications were made. As mentioned before, I have never had this problem till now.