Print as image and color control

Make sure that you select the proper distiller setting in the printer properties in the print dialog. The default setting for the Adobe PDF printer is the standard setting.
Choosing Press Quality will give you CMYK images.

If you don't print to the Adobe PDF printer, it's the settings of the printer you use you need to adjust.

Aalandriel,

No matter if I print to PDF printer using a .joboption file that converts to CMYK, or if I print to a production color rip (Fiery or Creo) using the correct ppd the resulting PDF or .PS file contains only RGB data for all objects. In all cases I inspect the preripped PDF or .PS files either in Acrobat directly or via preview function at the rip device using PitStop's eye dropper tool...it's RGB all the way every time.

I guess that just the way it is.

@ rhickey,

If you have Acrobat Professional (I used 7, this works) - Instead of using "print as image" -- you could save as a CMYK TIFF at any resolution you probably need.

or

If you have Acrobat Professional, I was able to select Adobe PDF as my printer, and when I printed to PDF - I could indeed make a CMKY raster PDF - I tried a vector CMYK, a Ventor RGB, a Raster CMYK and a Raster RGB files - and I could convert them all to rater "Print As Image" CMYK Rather files...

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.a94a434e-2320-45e3-a0cc-92808c0a6193

Michael Jahn
Jahn & Associates
PDF Color Conversion Specialist
1824 North Garvin Avenue
Simi Valley
California 93065
Office: (805) 527 8130
Cell: (805) 217 6741
Email: michaelejahn [at] gmail [dot] com
Skype: michaelejahn

michaelejahn,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I should state that I'm not trying to use the "print as Image" as a common workflow. It's actually a last resort scenario for me and my customers. I merely am trying to see if there is a way to use that option to create CMYK output directly. It's looks as if there is no way directly. That's OK though.... This is really just part of the background research for a bigger seminar project I'm involved with.

Hi there rhickey,

Okay, well, now it is I who is confused. I have taken the time research and explain - with screen captures - to show you CAN indeed take any PDF - RGB or CMYK, Vector, Raster - or a combination of any and all of the afore mentioned - and make a CMYK file using when you select "Print As Image"...

So, why are you saying - "t's looks as if there is no way directly."

What are you looking to make - a CMYK PostScript file instead or CMYK .prn file (where you check "Print To File" ?

What is not direct about the approach I described?

Do you only have Adobe Acrobat Reader ?

I am trying to understand what you were (or are) doing that would cause ONLY RGB data to be generated.

And, when you suggest "a last resort senario" - believe me, I think I have been there !

If you have a very complex page - Print to Image is a LIFE SAVER.

I get Multi-page PDF files from LaTex users that sometimes have scatter grams with thousands of small vector objects - each representing a single data point - and these often bring high speed printing systems to their knees - so, we 'preprocess' these problem child pages into a 600 ppi 1 bit page using a very similar approach.

Since you did not mention what platform, what OS...not sure what to say..

If you were asking "why only RGB" - well, there is no answer, as you can indeed use Print As Image to make CMYK - now, if you are asking "why DEFAULT is RGB, well, that is simple - 92% of all PDF files are RGB, and probably made from Microsoft Word !

hope this helps !

michaelejahn,

Unfortunately I cannot view your screen captures from work. My corporate proxy server filters all kinds of useful sites. I will look at it when I get home for certain.

Yes, I initially was looking to see why RGB is the default, and more importantly if it could be changed to CMYK with any setting. I scoured the prefs and such with no luck.

Yes, Print as image (PAI) is a life saver at times, especially to correct some transparency flattening issues that occur with certain files which cannot or will not be address upstream by the printer. I consider it a last resort because it blows away spot colors, overprint settings, and inflates the size of the spool file. With small jobs this inflated postscript is no biggie, but for huge jobs...yuk. I know that simulate overprint is an option for some jobs, but that too blows away spot colors. If APR/OPI is involved the PAI workaround is no good either...lots of other scenarios exist that we could both think of for sure.

Anyway, I'll look at your link later tonight from home and get back to you.

Thanks again for your time and effort.

Oh, BTW:
Acrobat 8 Professional
Enfocus PitStop Pro 7.52
Tested on PC (XP Pro) platform...although I have Acrobat 8 pro on Mac OS 10.5.4 too.

Regards,
RH

michaelejahn,

OK, I tried looking at your Google doc link from home, but get the message:

"Sorry, the page (or document) you have requested does not exist.

Please check the address and try again."

I checked out your resume/history...I see you spent some time in WNY. Are you originally from the area? Rochester NY here.

You must not have a Google Account. Hey, what can I say, get one, or send me you email address (you profile is set to private, otherwise I would have sent the email to you directly!)



Born and raised in Cheektowaga, NY - Maryvale High School.

Hmmmm...

I have a Google account and am logged in.
iam1andplural2[at]gmail.com
I'm not sure what gives.

I did live in Buffalo for and number of years...Elmwood Ave area in various abodes between Buffalo State and Allentown...The area gets an undeserved bum rap. I moved to Phoenix directly from there in the early 90's...Everyone originally from the Southwest had a very skewed view of the area.

What the problem turns out to be is that Unlike other Google Docs - where I can "Publish" - i can only "share" a PDF that I upload, and not publish that..so, you need both a Google Account AND i need to publish the file...



Well, I live on Linwood, and drank plently on Elmwood - Coles, Mr. Goodbar, Jimmy Macs - got tired of the snow and when I got a chance to work for SGAUA, I took it and was "SciTex-boy"

I received your e-mails and G-docs. Thanks for addressing the issue in such detail.