: Does the inDesign working space apply to placed images as well as text and lines I just about understand color-management in the context of a single image file in Photoshop but unclear how

@Rambettina927

If I then place an external image that uses sRgb profile does that
image get converted to proPhotoRgb or left as sRgb?


The profile will render on screen the colors but will not convert the original imported file. At this point there won't be any physical change really done to the files you imported.

It could convert them when you export though, depending on the settings you choose.


If I export the document to pdf and select Colour Conversion to
No Colour Conversion does the pdf comprise of an object with multiple separate color profiles for text and images or not?


If you choose to not convert, the images that were imported in InDesign won't be changed at all. And the elements in your InDesign should keep the InDesign profile/color space.

So that means you can have CMYK and RGB together, they'll remain this way. For the profiles, you'll have the option to not include them or convert to the destination profile. To my knowledge, you'll have one profile in your PDF or none at all. Note that your original files outside the PDF never get converted this way, in case it wasn't clear; to do this they need to be converted individually in Illustrator or Photoshop (or whatever software you use).




If I export the document to pdf and select Color Conversion to
Convert to Destination Space and pick a CYMK profile, is everything
text and images converted so the pdf consists of a single profile?


Yes. It will convert everything including the imported images and what's in Indesign to the profile and color space you'll select.

One thing: Color profile and color space are 2 different things, and when you convert you also have the option of keeping the color profile or not, or choose another one. Your colors will be adjusted depending on the profile and color space you select.

Personally, I don't recommend you to use that kind of option because you lose a bit of control on the color output and final result. That's not a big deal from CMYK to RGB for example, but the opposite might give you some disappointing colors because RGB can really get dull when converted to CMYK. So the best is to always stick to the same color space and profiles when you work with many different images and vectors, or not profile at all but the same color space at least.

But if you're working on a huge document and you just want to be sure everything uses the same color space and profile, then yes it's a quick practical shortcut! For example, it can be practical if you prepare a printed book and want to also prepare a quick ebook version in RGB without having to convert all the images in Photoshop one by one.

Note that this kind of conversion can also be done after you've created your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro, in the Preflight options! And there's some good tips here.



Additionally, you can also choose to "convert to destination (preserve numbers)". This will only convert the elements that have a different color space but will keep your original color recipe in your Indesign (eg. swatches) without changing them for example. So that's not a bad option.



This is an example of what kind of results you could get using these output settings:




Side note: There is a curious warning when you select Convert to
Destination regarding colours created within the application. I assume
if you have a working space set for the document there is no issue.


You're right. It's telling you it's about to really modify your files!



If you aren't sure about something, you can always hover your mouse over each option and you'll see a little clue appearing on the bottom part of the output window! But I think in general, most designers prefer to simply convert their images from the start to the right color space and profile, and use the "no conversion" to avoid any issue. And it's better to work with standard profiles, not the ones you think look better to you. That's why you also need to make sure your monitor is well calibrated.



if you're working on a project that will be printed offset:

Forget about anything RGB. RGB is for web.

Use CMYK. Or grayscale and bitmap mode if you're working on a 1-color project. For the color profile you can ask your printer because this can be different. I use Swop.

Vote Up Vote Down

@Ravi4787994

David Blatner is to go-to expert for color & InDesign.

You may want to check out his articles & videos:

indesignsecrets.com/import-rgb-images-indesign-convert-cmyk-export.php https://indesignsecrets.com/converting-cmyk-to-rgb-with-indesign.php indesignsecrets.com/indesign-ignores-cmyk-profiles.php www.lynda.com/InDesign-tutorials/InDesign-Insider-Training-Color/368392-2.html http://www.lynda.com/InDesign-tutorials/Color-grayscale-conversions/155936/180024-4.html

Vote Up Vote Down