Automatically convert from RGB to CMYK color mode

I have over 900 barcodes provided in EPS format. When I open them in illustrator, they are coming in as an RGB color space file. I need them gray scale solid black in CMYK color mode. I can batch using actions to convert the artwork using "Edit Colors > Convert to Grayscale". However, the document color mode remains RGB. It appears, even after using "Convert to Grayscale", that the RGB color mode goofs up the placed .ai file in InDesign, treating it as RGB and seeing it as a mix of CMYK rather than the 100% black only it needs to be for proper sharp printing.
The actions pallet doesn't record converting the document color mode. Is there a way to automate that file conversion so they are all saved as CMYK rather than RGB, or am I stuck opening each of the 900+ files manually?

While recording the action, from the popup menu in the Actions Panel choose Insert Menu Item, then from the main menu choose File > Document Color Mode > CMYK color.

Similar Messages

  • Converting from pantone to cmyk color mode in Indesign CS3??

    I am working on a business card for a customer, I am using Adobe Indesign CS3.
    I use an outside company for the printing job called 4over (4over.com) and they require you use their cmyk pdf print engine so they can do the job properly... Basically to break it down: I am in Indesign CS3, I choose Print, and as the printer I choose their "4over pdf cmyk print engine" so the colors do not convert and the color doesnt change when they use their printers.
    4over is telling me my document is in pantone color mode, they can see the pantone color 371C, but not the cmyk values.
    How do I change from pantone color mode to cmyk color mode???
    if anyone can help me please. I would really appreciate it.
    I attached the file I sent to 4over incase that helps anyone answer my question.
    Thank you,
    Brandon

    Before exporting, in the swatch panel, select your Pantone colour, right click and select swatch options. Change the color type to Process and the color mode to CMYK.
    If it's a business card and you showed the client a pantone swatch, know that you won't get the same colour results. There's a very useful Pantone book available that shows swatches side by side with CMYK values.
    http://www.pantone.com/pages/products/product.aspx?pid=283&ca=1&s=4

  • Converting from RGB to CMYK makes the image dull. How do I fix?

    I have an image that has a really bright vibrant blue in it. When I convert it from RGB to CMYK, it gets pretty dull. Is there a "trick" or something to do to a file after converting to CMYK to bring back some of it's vibrancy?

    Sharingene wrote:
    Question on workflow... so do I convert my sRGB to CMYK, work to fix different color issues using some of the methods above, then what?  Where does the printer's profile come into play during all of this?  UPrint told me for offset printing they use US Web-coated SWOP v.2.  Just not sure what to do with this information
    Whenever you convert, you're always converting from the source color space to the destination color space.
    In this case, your source color space is sRGB, because that's the color space your file is in.
    Your printer told you that the CMYK profile they use is USWebCoatedSWOPv2, so that's the destination color space you want to convert to. You can consider that the printer's profile.
    So, how to convert?
    There are two ways.
    First, you could go to Image > Mode > CMYK. Easy, but maybe not right.
    That method will convert to whatever defaults are set in Photoshop's Color Settings (Edit > Color Settings). Check out your Color Settings. If they are set to any of the North America presets, you're in good shape, because the CMYK default is USWebCoatedSWOPv2. However, let's say that the printer told you to use Web Coated SWOP 2006 Grade 3. Then you need to take a different approach...
    Second way: go to Edit > Convert to Profile...
    In the dialog that appears, click on the Destination pop-up and scroll to find the appropriate profile.
    Click OK. Conversion done.
    This is a more deliberate method that also gives you control over Rendering Intent. (That's another discussion. For now, use Relative.)
    -I guess it's used in soft proofing but sure how all this works.  If I soft proof and it's still not looking right, am I able to edit with their profile turned on some how?
    A soft proof is an on-screen simulation of what your color will look like once you do the conversion. In your case, you would turn on soft-proof (command-Y) while still in sRGB to simulate the look of the CMYK color space.
    To select the color space to simulate, go to View > Proof Setup.
    Click on Custom...
    Click on the Device to Simulate popup.
    Scroll to find the destination color space.
    Then when you hit command-Y, you'll see a soft proof of that color space.
    Best practices suggest that you do the bulk of your color correction while still in RGB, but with soft proof on.
    Also, should I get a profile for the paper I'm  using as well?
    That's what the printer's profile is.
    Although I've read somewhere it's hard to have your monitor replicate paper because monitors are so bright....
    Not exactly. The challenge in getting a visual match between monitor and proof/print is based on the fact that a monitor is emissive (i.e., it's a light source) and a print is reflective (i.e., it only reflects light that's hitting it.) However, in a proper, well controlled editing environment, it's possible to get a shockingly close match between monitor and proof/print. All the variables are controllable.
    The bottom line with all of this is to be able to get accurate, predictable color on press (or out of your inkjet) based on what you see on screen. It can be done; I do it every day. It just takes some study and rigorous process control.
    I humbly suggest that you check out my book.
    Good luck!
    HTH,
    Rick
    Rick McCleary
    author, CMYK 2.0: A Cooperative Workflow for Photographers, Designers, and Printers
    Peachpit Press

  • How to keep color when switching from RGB to Indexed Color Mode?

    I'm working in Photoshop CS6
    In Photoshop I've designed a custom crop screen for use in Magic Lantern (a program that runs with Canon cameras)   The project is in 8bit RGB and to be able to use it (in Magic Lantern) I have to change it to Indexed Color (using a an .act file provided fom them) Then I have to save it as a .bmp.  When I chnage from RGB to Indexed color (loading the .act file) the color in my Photoshop project turns to grey.
    I haven't worked with Indexed colors or changing the color mode etc.
    My question is... how can I keep the color (or a color similar, compatible color) to what I created in RGB when I convert it to Indexed Color using the .act file?
    Any suggestions?
    Thanks

    Attached are 4 jpgs:
    - The Crop Screen as it appears in the PSD file (RGB color/8-bit)
    - The Index Color .act file that I'm loading
    - The settings after I have loaded the act file
    - the Crop Screen with the blue color missing

  • Convert from RGB to CMYK

    I've been trying to find solutions to convert images/pdf's from RGB to CMYK. I've noticed that it's definitely possible to convert from CMYK to RGB, but haven't been able to do the reverse.
    Does anyone know of a method or a reference that might help me along?
    Thanks!

    Ugh, I'm a newb and did a better search and found other previous posters asking the same question.
    Feel free to close this thread (if you do such things here).

  • Converting from RGB to CMYK alters shadows

    When working with our product photos, I keep them in RGB and add drop shadows to them by drawing  rectangular marquees on a separate layer, fill them with black and then apply gaussian and motin blur to them. Works quite well. Plus with the shadow on it's own layer, I can turn it off in InDesign if need be. The problem is when I convert the photo to CMYK for offset printing. It's asks if I want merge the layers to which I say no since I want to be able to turn the shadows off if need be, but when I say no, then the shadows get bigger and do not look as good as they did in RGB. If I say yes to merge, then the shadows look the same as they did in RGB but I lose the ability to turn them off in InDesign.
    Is there a way to keep the shadows looking the same when converted to CMYK without having to merge the layers? Using PS CS6 64 bit. Thanks.

    gator soup wrote:
     ... i would think any conversion would be subject to the same anomaly that Photoshop is showing 
    but i don't know... maybe convert to the destination cmyk before setting any layer effects or adjustment layers
    Effects, like gradients, drop shadows, etc are not converted by the color management pixel by pixel because Photoshop doesn't see them as pixels but as a procedure (formula) with key colors for generating the effect in the destination color space. So, for drop shadow, only the shadow color is converted to its closest match in the destination color space but all other parameters affecting the color like the blending mode, opacity, etc are applied in the destination color space which gives different appearance - first, because color space characteristics like gamma curve is different and second in case of a different model (CMYK), the blending of colors is based on entirely different algorithms.
    So, basically effects is best to be recreated in the destination color space or flattened before conversion.

  • Color turns Grayscale when converted from RGB to CMYK?!

    I have a complex pattern, that looks brilliant with a color layer. However, it was originally created RGB.
    I converted the color to CMYK for print, and all the color disappears! Not that the layer is deleted, but the color layer appears Grayscale. The only area where color shows up are in the pieces that are at 50% transparency (see purple diamond). I have all my color areas set to CMYK including the color pallet.
    The color will show if I set the layer to multiply, but it doesn't look the same way as it does when its in RGB mode.
    I've never come across this before, any help would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

    If I do this, it turns it into an image and it loses its clipping path?

  • Converting from RGB to CMYK

    A client gave me a PNG made in Fireworks, and I need to pretty much convert this over to a CMYK file that I can send to a printer. SOme pointers would be greatly appreciated...

    This is not possible in Elements. You would need the full version of Photoshop to do this.
    Colin.

  • How can I convert Pdf from RGB to CMYK, keeping font color 100% K while working in Illustrator?

    How can I convert Pdf from RGB to CMYK, keeping font color 100% K while working in Illustrator?
    When I try to open the document in Illustrator and I convert to CMYK the black font converts to rich black, but to set up for Offset printintg I need the text to be only in Black (100%K).
    The original source of the document is a Microsoft Word file, I have converted the Word file to Pdf in order to setup for OFfset Printing.
    Thanks

    I have tried that way, but the downside is that the fonts are set in gray not in a 100%K, also I have to deal with other fonts that are composites and meant to stay Full Color. I could select text by text and convert to gray but, its a 64 page document and I wouldn't want to make a expensive mistake.

  • Converting RGB to CMYK color

    Hi All,
    I have few BASIC Questions on converting RGB to CMYK  in Photoshop and Illustrator. Hope could get some professional insights here.
    1, Are all the DTG printers set only in CMYK color mode ?
    2, If there is no difference after viewing RGB image with 'Gamaut Warning' (Photoshop),  Does that mean I'll have the exact print result as monitor view ?
    and Basically no need for CMYK conversion  ?
    3, Please list some the most effective way to convert RGB to CMYK, and keep the final CMYK color result as close as the RGB.
    4, when I simply convert one RGB image to CMYK color, why Ps/AI don't allow me to save as PNG file ?
    ( I save the file as PDF, but I cannot edit this PDF using apple preview app  )
    5, compare Photoshop to Illustrator, which one result better final CMYK color image ?

    Thanks for the detailed reply. Sure clear some of the doubts.
    I just start to draw/design in Photoshop and illustrator, I save my files most as PNG, for a transparent background.
    After I went to officework do the poster printing, I found the color of my print image are not as vivid as Mac preview.
    To be precise, the poster I printed looks like has a very thin grey layer, it is not much noticeable, but it indeed lost some vivid color.  As I want to print out my works and keep color as close exact as Mac preview,  here is the issue of coverting RGB CMYK.
    Please feel free to add for below:
    1, Should I set color space in CMYK before drawing in PS/AI 
    2,  in PS, I convert profile from PNG file to CMYK save as psd file,  that psd file preview exactly same as PNG.
    But when saved as PDF, the file preview a bit grey.  Can someone explain this?
    3, Now im thinking, since CMYK is all about printers, it really should be the profession in printing shop who shall check my image, and edit/convert to the right color space to fit their printers.

  • Convert image from RGB to CMYK and back to RGB

    Hey.
    I wonder if anyone has experience with converting image from RGB to CMYK and back to RGB?
    I had a TIF in RGB then converted to CMYK but I figured that it might be better to keep in RGB, so I converted back. I read that it supposed to cause some loss in the data, but I can't see anything on the image, it is still very huge and the 2 RGB files has the same size as well. Is there a way to compare the resolution of 2 images somehow, or how can I see what I lost through the 2 conversions?
    Thanks for help

    I had a TIF in RGB then converted to CMYK but I figured that it might be better to keep in RGB, so I converted back.
    The original RGB data is not being restored by converting from the CMYK version, so the term "keep" seems inappropriate.
    What are the actual Color Spaces (ICC profiles) involved?
    Is there a way to compare the resolution of 2 images somehow, or how can I see what I lost through the 2 conversions?
    How did resolution come into this?
    To determine how large a portion of the image has been changed you could
    • make a flattened copy of the original image
    • place a flattened copy of the RGB->CMYK->RGB image on top of that and set it to Blend Mode Difference
    • add an Adjustment Layer (Curves for example) to brighten the image

  • How do I find out if a photo in iPhoto is RGB or CMYK color?  How do I change from RGB to CMYK?

    How do I find out if a photo in iPhoto is RGB or CMYK color?  How do I change from RGB to CMYK?

    Open the file with Preview, type Command + i to bring up the Info pane and it's color mode and profile will be listed as shown here:
    To change the color mode to CMYK you'll need a 3rd party image editor like Photoshotp or GraphicConverter to do it.  Why do you need CMYK?
    OT

  • Color profile when changing from RGB to CMYK

    I prefer to work on images in RGB then change to cmyk once I'm sure i won't need to run any more effects or filters on them. When I save an image the first time, I have the option to embed my color profile with the image. It embeds the RGB profile... the only option as long as I'm working in RGB. What I've noticed though, is that after converting to cmyk, I don't get any warnings or other indication that it needs me to embed the color profile. I need to do a save-as in order to get back to that option.
    So the question is... does Photoshop automatically switch to my default CMYK color profile when I convert to CMYK? So when I save, it's now using the CMYK profile?

    Save your original RGB file.
    Then, RGB file > Edit > Convert to Profile (with CMYK#1) > Save As...
    This creates your first CMYK file.
    Then, back to original RGB file > Edit > Convert to Profile (with CMYK#2) > Save As...
    This creates your second CMYK file.
    Then, back to original RGB file > Edit > Convert to Profile (with CMYK#3) > Save As...
    This creates your third CMYK file.
    In all cases, be sure you have "Embed Color Profile" checked at the bottom of the Save As dialog. When naming a file, it's handy to include some sort of indication as to the color space.
    In the end, you have four files: 1 RGB file, 3 CMYK files.

  • Is it ok in the long run to placing a RGB photoshop eps file into a Illustrator CS2 CMYK color mode

    Is it ok in the long run to placing a RGB photoshop eps file into a Illustrator CS2 CMYK color mode document ?
    I am using windows XP with Adobe Creative suite 2.
    In both Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Illustrator CS2 have the same color settings.
    If I take a RGB file that was created in Photoshop CS2 and place this file in a CMYK color mode document in Illustrator CS2, does this cause a problem for the output of the document ?
    If you look at the ''Document Info'' window you can now see that the RGB file is now a CMYK file. Is this a good working habit ?
    Thanks in advance. :)

    >Is it ok in the long run to placing a RGB photoshop eps file into a Illustrator CS2 CMYK color mode document ?
    Please explain why you would do such a thing? (Why RGB, and why EPS.)
    >If I take a RGB file that was created in Photoshop CS2 and place this file in a CMYK color mode document in Illustrator CS2, does this cause a problem for the output of the document ?
    Yes.
    You are working in CMYK mode presumably because your Illustrator document is destined for output on a PostScript device -- e.g., a printing press. That means that your RGB image will undergo a space conversion somewhere in the process, and the questions are when and how?
    The issue is compounded by the fact that Illustrator ignores color profiles embedded in EPS files by Photoshop. (Just another reason not to use EPS.)
    By performing the conversion yourself in Photoshop, you take control of the process and ensure predictable color.

  • How can i convert my file from RGB to CMYK?

    I need to convert my pages project from RGB to CMYK.  How can I do this?

    Which version of Pages and can you be more specific about what file you have and what you are intending to do with it?
    Peter

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