Converting PDF to grayscale

I am using Adobe CS 3, Acrobat 8 Professional, on Mac OS 10.4.11
I am trying to convert a full color PDF document to grayscale. I tried to click Advanced > Print Production > Convert Colors and then Grayscale, but it is not working.
I tried clicking Print and then choosing a PDF option, but it is taking unreasonably long and not finishing.
So how can I convert it to grayscale?

Hi,
I had some trouble with this same issue of converting a color pdf to grayscale. I realized that in my particular pdf, just using the Tools/Print Production/Convert Colors function was not enough. Somehow there were extra spot colors inadvertently added to the file. Here are the steps to follow to make sure this works correctly if you are wanting to convert the entire pdf file to a grayscale image:
(I am using Acrobat 7.0.9 on a Mac OS X, 10.4.11 system)
1.) In your pdf file go to Tools/Print Production/Ink Manager click on the bottom left corner box that says (Convert all spots to process). Click okay.
then
2.) Go back to Tools/Print Production/Convert Colors. Click on (Device Gray: Convert) Action: Convert. Profile: Select your profile of choosing....for me it was 10% Dot Gain way at the bottom). Convert Pages: All. Conversion Options: Don't Embed Profile. Check box that says, Preserve Black Objects. Click okay.
This should resolve any problems with those extra colors that will not convert to grayscale since they are assigned as spot colors.
Hope this helps. Let me know if this works for anyone. just tried it once.
Good luck!
Janell

Similar Messages

  • Is there a way to select every other page in a multi page pdf and convert it to grayscale?

    I'm going to ask this question in a few sub-forums, so if you think you've seen it, you might have.
    Where I work I use a program that can print to pdf. We use it to produce mailings, usually postcards, that are addressed.
    I often end up with a 500 page document that will print on 250 sheets of cover stock, which will get cut into 1,000 postcard, all pre-addressed and sorted by zip code.
    Usually, the address side is all black and the front is color. The printers we use can print a black click on the address side and a color click on the other, IF the pdf is set up that way. Otherwise, both sides will be counted as color clicks.
    I know I can select pages individually in a pdf and convert them to grayscale and those pages will be counted by the printer as black clicks, which are cheaper than color clicks.
    The problem is, I have not figured out how to convert all the odd numbered pages to grayscale at once. As a result, I usually end up printing the color side simplex, then putting the job back in the tray and printing the black side. Of course, that only works if only one side is personalized, sometimes both sides are.
    Is there a way to select every other page in a pdf and convert it to grayscale?

    The Acrobat SDK has sample code that shows how to convert the colors for one page (the first page of a document). This sample can easily be adjusted to process every other page. You can then use an Action that executes this JavaScript to process the document. Do you know how to create an Action? If so, you can use this script (as I said, adapted from the sample in the SDK) to convert all odd pages (1, 3, 5, ...):
    // Get a color convert action
    var toGray = this.getColorConvertAction();
    // Set up the action for a conversion to RGB
    toGray.matchAttributesAny = -1;
    toGray.matchSpaceTypeAny = ~toGray.constants.spaceFlags.AlternateSpace;
    toGray.matchIntent = toGray.constants.renderingIntents.Any;
    toGray.convertProfile = "Gray Gamma 1.8";
    toGray.convertIntent = toGray.constants.renderingIntents.Document;
    toGray.embed = true;
    toGray.preserveBlack = false;
    toGray.useBlackPointCompensation = true;
    toGray.action = toGray.constants.actions.Convert;
    // Convert every other page
    for (var i=0; i<this.numPages; i++) {
      console.println("Processing page " + i);
      if (i % 2 == 0) {  // change to "if (i % 2 != 0) {" for all even numbers
      console.println("in page " + i);
      console.println(this.colorConvertPage(i, [toGray], []));
    As I've indicated in the code, you can change this to all even numbers by changing the == to !=

  • Is there a way to select every other page in a pdf and convert it to grayscale?

    I'm going to ask this question in a few sub-forums, so if you think you've seen it, you might have. Someone suggested it might be done with Javascript. I know nothing about Javascript.
    Where I work I use a program that can print to pdf. We use it to produce mailings, usually postcards, that are addressed.
    I often end up with a 500 page document that will print on 250 sheets of cover stock, which will get cut into 1,000 postcard, all pre-addressed and sorted by zip code.
    Usually, the address side is all black and the front is color. The printers we use can print a black click on the address side and a color click on the other, IF the pdf is set up that way. Otherwise, both sides will be counted as color clicks.
    I know I can select pages individually in a pdf and convert them to grayscale and those pages will be counted by the printer as black clicks, which are cheaper than color clicks.
    The problem is, I have not figured out how to convert all the odd numbered pages to grayscale at once. As a result, I usually end up printing the color side simplex, then putting the job back in the tray and printing the black side. Of course, that only works if only one side is personalized, sometimes both sides are.
    Is there a way to select every other page in a pdf and convert it to grayscale?

    The Acrobat SDK has sample code that shows how to convert the colors for one page (the first page of a document). This sample can easily be adjusted to process every other page. You can then use an Action that executes this JavaScript to process the document. Do you know how to create an Action? If so, you can use this script (as I said, adapted from the sample in the SDK) to convert all odd pages (1, 3, 5, ...):
    // Get a color convert action
    var toGray = this.getColorConvertAction();
    // Set up the action for a conversion to RGB
    toGray.matchAttributesAny = -1;
    toGray.matchSpaceTypeAny = ~toGray.constants.spaceFlags.AlternateSpace;
    toGray.matchIntent = toGray.constants.renderingIntents.Any;
    toGray.convertProfile = "Gray Gamma 1.8";
    toGray.convertIntent = toGray.constants.renderingIntents.Document;
    toGray.embed = true;
    toGray.preserveBlack = false;
    toGray.useBlackPointCompensation = true;
    toGray.action = toGray.constants.actions.Convert;
    // Convert every other page
    for (var i=0; i<this.numPages; i++) {
      console.println("Processing page " + i);
      if (i % 2 == 0) {  // change to "if (i % 2 != 0) {" for all even numbers
      console.println("in page " + i);
      console.println(this.colorConvertPage(i, [toGray], []));
    As I've indicated in the code, you can change this to all even numbers by changing the == to !=

  • Convert Color PDF to Grayscale using Preflight in Acrobat 9 Pro

    Has anyone posted a step-by-step procedure to convert color PDFs to grayscale? I've unsuccessfully been trying to use the new Preflight dialog to do this. This is the procedure I tried:
    1) In the Preflight dialog, Create New Preflight Fixup.
    2) Fixup Category: Color Spaces, Spot Colors, Inks. For Type of Fixup: Convert Colors.
    3) In the Conversion settings tab, chose All Objects, Using Any Color (except spot colors), plus All Objects, Using Spot colors(s).
    4) For Destination, I chose a grayscale destination Dot Gain 25%.
    5) After clicking OK, I selected the new profile and clicked on the Fix button, and saved the file.
    Nothing happens, and the colors don't change.
    If anyone can explain what I'm missing, I would greatly appreciate it.

    Refer to Acrobat 9 Help PDF (installed with Acrobat 9 is installed).
    Review the  discussion for Exporting PDFs in Chapter 5 of this Help PDF.
    The PDF is also available on Adobe's site.
    http://help.adobe.com/archive/en_US/acrobat/9/professional/acrobat_pro_9.0_help.pdf 
    Good to know is that the Acrobat 9.x product family passed into End of Support mid-year 2013.
    Be well...

  • Preserving Black color values when converting color PDF to grayscale

    I opened a full colored PDF document (exported from InDesign using Profile: Euroscale Coated v2) in Photoshop and tried to convert it to grayscale (image > mode > grayscale) and noticed that the black color values changed. text for example that was 100% black in the PDF document became a screen of 91% black.
    is there a way to preserve color values when converting full color PDF documents to grayscale?
    or in other words WHICH is the correct way to convert full color PDF documents or full color InDesign files to grayscale?
    I am using Adobe CS 3, Acrobat 8 Professional, on Mac OS 10.5.5

    Before you open the PDF in Photoshop, set PS's Color Settings to Photoshop 5 Default Spaces. When you open the PDF set the Mode to Grayscale in the Import dialog. Just remember to reset your color settings when you're done.
    Edit: Also, if you want to match black percentages as well as 100% black, set the Photoshop Color Settings to Photoshop 5 Default Spaces with the Gray working space to Dot Gain 20%.

  • How do you convert a PDF to grayscale?

    Just switched from Pro 8 to 9.  In 8 I would use the convert colors tool to do this but it didnt always work but I delt with it.  Im on Pro 9 and the settings for that have all moved around.  I never really fully understood how to convert a PDF to grayscale, would just wing it as it was.  Now Im totally baffled.  Is there any "proper" way to convert to grayscale where I dont have hundreds of options to go through with profiles and other things that are really over my head and needs?

    Thanks guys(or gals?) to responding to this.
    What I ended up doing is:
    Covert entire file to grayscale.
    Save As "file name + BW"
    Close
    Open original file
    Replace individual pages from BW version for each page I want to change to BW.
    BTW:
    The reason I need to do this is to avoid getting color click charges on my printer/copier. The original pdf is created in Microsoft Publisher(Yuck!), then made into a Color PDF. Some pages only need to be printed as B/W, and others as Color. This can be also be done using an advanced controller such a Fiery on the printer/copier, but that would cost an additional $3000, and it would be used just for this functionality. With this route, it will only be just the cost of Acrobat Pro.
    Also, I am doing this on Acrobat for the Mac, which seems to have the same issues as the Window version.

  • Cannot export to PDF with grayscale PDF in layout

    IDCS5.5, MacPro, OSX 10.7.4
    I am working on a grayscale teacher’s guide that accompanies a CMYK schoolbook. The introduction pages contain miniature pages of the workbook (formatted as grayscale PDF), but InDesign refuses to output those pages as PDF ("Impossible d’exporter le fichier PDF"), or when it does produce a PDF (when exporting page by page), Acrobat warns of a possible problem and stuff is missing on the resulting page, not necessarily from the grayscale minipages.
    I have tried grayscale PDFs created from the original CMYK PDFs in Acrobat Pro X, grayscale PDFs exported from the original CMYK file in InDesign CS6, PDFs reduced to 20% in InDesign, PDFs reduced to 20% with a third-party application and imported in ID at 100%, and all sort of variations on the export values. The problem is also present in InDesign CS4 (after exporting the file as IDML) and in CS6.
    The thing is, there is no problem at all if I use the CMYK PDF version of the minipages (I then turned the resulting PDF into grayscale with Acrobat Pro X). But the printer expects to see only grayscale images in a grayscale job, not color... and a Photoshop version of those minipages is not acceptable.
    Has anybody encountered that problem? Can you reproduce it, i.e. can you export to PDF if you use any type of grayscale PDFs in your layout?

    FOUND IT! Inspired by Rob solution, I was able to export my InDesign CS5.5 document containing some grayscale PDFs to PDF/X-3:2002 (and PDF/X-1a:2001), with or without the standard, but without converting to destination. For some reason, it does not work with PDF/X-4:2008, nor with any of the other presets.
    -3

  • Export to PDF as grayscale

    I am using a trial version of InDesign CS3 on XP Pro and have a need to create a PDF in grayscale. Is there a way to do this using Export? I tried using print to Acrobat Distiller with Composite Gray set and that works fine. Is Distiller the only way to accomplish this?
    Thanks in advance for the help.

    No, but it is the only way to do it in one step if your content isn't already grayscale. You can use the export output options to specify a color profile, but only CMYK or RGB, no grayscales.
    The advantage of exporting rather than distilling is you can keep live transparency and interactive elements, but as I said, no grayscale export. You can, however, convert to grayscale in Acrobat Pro once you've made the PDF.
    The downside to this automatic conversion, either in Acrobat or in printing to PDF, is you have absolutely no control over the conversion and consequently no choice in the tonal values and contrast. You'll get better looking documents if you do things the hard way and convert your images separately in Photoshop using any one of a variety of techniques. Why does the PDF need to be grayscale?
    Peter

  • Automated PDF to Grayscale Conversion

    Hi,
    I need to find a way of converting PDF files to Grayscale using an automated process.
    I have adobe distiller and adobe acrobat 8 professional - but I cannot find a way to access via API or command line so that I can automate the process of batch converting PDF files from colour to grayscale.
    I have found a system called pit stop that does whats required but its quite expensive so i am trying to find a cheaper alternative.
    Any help would be appreciated.
    Thanks

    You can't pass anything to Batch nor can you "ick it off" programmatically. if you need something like that, then you should look at the "Droplets" functionality of Preflight directly.
    You will need to create a new Profile in Preflight with a single fixup that is "Convert colors to grayscale".
    Leonard

  • Converting PDF's Colors

    I know its possible to convert a color PDF to Grayscale, but once you do that is it possible to change it back to color?

    Advanced>Document Processing>Batch Sequences>New Sequence>Export to JPEG>Edit Sequence> and follow the screen shown here

  • I need to convert PDF file to Word Document, so it can be edited. But the recognizing text options do not have the language that I need. How I can convert the file in the desired of me language?

    I need to convert PDF file to Word Document, so it can be edited. But the recognizing text options do not have the language that I need. How I can convert the file in the desired of me language?

    The application Acrobat provides no language translation capability.
    If you localize the language for OS, MS Office applications, Acrobat, etc to the desired language try again.
    Alternative: transfer a copy of content into a web based translation service (Bing or Google provides a free service).
    Transfer the output into a word processing program that is localized to the appropriate language.
    Do cleanup.
    Be well...

  • Need to convert pdf to word

    need to convert pdf to word

    Hi gurpreetkhalsa,
    To convert a PDF file to Word format, you need ExportPDF, Adobe PDF Pack, or Acrobat. Which option you choose depends on whether you need additional features--ExportPDF is the most basic option, and offers the ability to convert to Word, Excel, or RTF.
    Best,
    Sara

  • Need to Convert PDF to doc in Russian, why programm do not recognice it?

    Need to Convert PDF to doc in Russian, why programm do not recognice it?

    Hi alsu22,
    The OCR system that converts documents does not recognize any cyrillic languages, such as Russian.  If the text is already renderable (selectable), you may want to try converting your document without the OCR function enabled. You can find steps here: http://forums.adobe.com/docs/DOC-3062
    -David

  • I have subscribed to convert PDF to Excel and Word, I have followed your instructions and I get an error message all the time.

    I have subscribed to convert PDF file to an Excel or Word . I have followed your instructions to do so but I always get an error message. I have chated with one representative who suggested that I wait 24h before I try it again implying that my subscription is in process. the time span has elapsed and when i try it, I still get the error message. HELP ME or REFUND me the money

    "an error message" really doesn't tell us much.
    [topic moved to ExportPDF forum]

  • Any way to help me convert PDF format to word(.doc) on Mac

    Hi,guys.Is there any one tell me how to convert PDF to word on Mac?
    I am a middle school teacher.Recently I have a download some PDF file need to transfer to word as material for my working.As I use Mac OS has been doubly difficult for me,beacuse I am not familiar with mac system.
    So any idea helpfully would be appreciated.

    There is a very simple method and doesn't require new software.
    Open a new Word document
    Open the PDF in Preview (i.e., double click or right click and open with ... Preview)
    Using the TEXT tool (button labeled "A') highlight the text you want to copy, then copy (i.e. Edit ... Copy, or right click .... Copy, or Command+C)
    Paste the text into a Word document, and it will be editable.
    If you want to copy the entire contents, you can use Command+A to select all contents, then copy and paste to Word document.
    Preview actually works much better than Acrobat Professional in this respect because you don't carry over junk code from PDF.

Maybe you are looking for