: Finding CMYK colors from HEX using Adobe CC I'm building a color palette for a client. I have all the HEX values and need to convert them to the proper CMYK colors for print. Using Adobe

@Caterina889

Color conversions within applications are entirely dependent upon your color preference and profiles.

In other words, when you convert between RGB (HEX) and CMYK your settings determine the new numbers. Converting on my system will most likely never result in the same numbers on your system.

If you want truly accurate color conversions you need to visually decide upon the colors. It's best to look at printed CMYK colors, not on-screen colors. I'd get a CMYK color book such as the Pantone CMYK bridge and then choose the swatch that matches your RGB color closest, and use the numbers provided there.

This question may also be helpful:
Differences in color conversion (RGB to CMYK) / How to choose Corporate Color

Vote Up Vote Down

@Yeniel278

Color and numerical values have no direct mapping. That is the hex value has no specific meaning as a color. You still need something called a profile (and profile intent) to tell the computer what the color actually is.

To convert hex to CMYK you first need to determine the color via the RGBspaces profile, and then convert it to CMYK using the CMYK spaces profile. The intent comes into play when you need to describe what to do with colors that can not be converted. This is a insanely convoluted idea (see ICC Color Workflow, for a decent primer), that keeps confusing and confusing.

Now for the answer to: Why do you get different CMYK value?  Simply put, you have a different color profile and or intent in profile. Therefore showing clients hex values without telling what color space is meaningless. Anlso giving CMYK values is meaningless without a color space.

Vote Up Vote Down

@Cofer715

CMYK and HEX are two completely different color models. HEX (RGB) is additive and CMYK is subtractive.

The colors will not be exactly the same.

I would just go with whatever CMYK value it gives you, as long as it looks close.

Vote Up Vote Down