Overprint Preview (InDesign)
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- lumedia
I have some artwork that was made in AI using 3 spot colors. Why, when I place it in InDesign and turn on Overprint Preview, do the colors change so drastically. It doesn't seem right.
For example Pantone Black U looks like light brown with Overprint Preview turned on.
Am I missing something?
- digdre0
your screen is rgb, right?
- lumedia0
clever digdre,
it just seems to me that it would be better at soft proofing spot colors since it uses the LAB values of the spot color to display it on screen.
- digdre0
how about you print it ? sample print.
- lumedia0
I presenting to a client via PDF. I just want to make sure that what they see is as close as possible to what will be printed.
I think I will just substitute the CMYK or RGB values in the artwork for screen display.
- BaskerviIle0
don't present print work via a PDF.
even a colour copier (which is essentially CMYK) will be way closer than anything onscreen will ever be.
- shitehawke0
If you're presenting via pdf theres no way to guarantee that its going to be in any way accurate. You get it looking perfect on your monitor email it to your client who doesn't have their monitor calibrated or even if they're on an older screen thats seen a lot of use, the colours will be way off what you think you're seeing.
I've sen stuff to clients before and gotten angry comments back like 'Whats with this green? Green everywhere. This is ridiculous, our corporate colour is BLUE!' then you go through the whole process of explaining it and even asking them to print it out to get a more accurate representation. I tells you, this shit can break your heart sometimes.
- inkpink0
pantone black U looks like brown because:
A - pantone black U always is kinda brown, use pantone "process" black U for a neutral brown
B - overprint preview is simulating ink on uncoated paper, which would even further reveal the brown hue of pantone black (and shift your other colors to something unexpected if you are not using an uncoated swatch guide).
C - your monitor and/or color settings may be shite
- inkpink0
if you have pantone formula guides (not bridge) look at the pantone black chip... its on the same page as grey 400-405 which is a very warm grey and illustrates the brown-like quality of pantone black when tinted with white (or printed on uncoated paper).
- lumedia0
all very helpful. thanks.
- monospaced0
I can sympathize with your frustration. You shouldn't have to create a whole new file just for presentation purposes.
- better than spending face time with client ;-0
alicetheblue - face-to-face with the client is invaluable, you antisocial designer!
=)monospaced
- better than spending face time with client ;-0
- pylon0
lumedia, black on its own isn't totally neutral.
Sending your client proofs via PDF could be a recipe for disaster. Who knows how their monitor is set up? Maybe everything beyond a 70% black looks 100% black for them?
If you want a really dense black (not for text, though) mix up a four-colour black, Consult your printer about what the max density is for the press and paper you're using, but something along the lines of c60 m60 y20 b100 will be pretty dense and neutral black (depending on paper stock and so on).
- inkpink0
sorry my first post above shoulda read:
> use pantone "process" black U for a neutral *BLACK*
if that wasn't obvious :)
- DeSiard0
I've personally noticed that the overprint preview in indesign is wacky when it comes to spot colors. if you must proof via pdf, set everything to multiply instead of overprint (you can change it back later). it will at least look kinda right.
- lumedia0
I know about all the pitfalls of uncalibrated monitors etc... I just wanted to know why ID sucked so bad at displaying spot colors.
The client is savvy enough to know about these things. That is why I didnt want them to be like "Why do these colors look shit?"
I understand that Pantone Black U is not a true black, but you should see what I am seeing. Its WAY off.
I have come to notice that its only indesign. When I view the PDF on Acrobat or even Preview it looks fine.
- LIoyd0
when you export the pdf, go to your color conversion settings, turn them all off, & do not convert or assign profiles to anything.
fixed all these problems you've spoken of above for me.
- duckofrubber0
Try switching to Use Standard LAB Values for Spot Colors. You can do this in the Swatches palette dropdown menu under Ink Manager.
- And then take a look at the Overprint Preview. Also, make sure that you are soft-proofing with the right profile as well.duckofrubber