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My black turns gray when exporting to PDF.

Fanny -  
FannyNoob Posted messages 2 Status Member -
Hello,

So, I'm working on a poster with a logo on a 100% black background, but when I export this document and open my PDF to check, it has turned gray..
I'm working in CMYK mode and using all the right profiles.
I didn't have this problem before and I haven't changed any settings, I'm lost ^^'

P.S.: I'm on Illustrator

If anyone has a solution to save me, please don't hesitate!

Configuration: Android / Chrome 91.0.4472.77

4 answers

  1.
    contrariness Posted messages 17905 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   6 244
     
    Check if you have a change for your black in Acrobat "pro" with the "tools/Print/output preview" option...
    It might just be a display issue.
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    1. Fanny
       
      Thank you for your response.
      I just checked and it doesn't change anything..
      I looked at all the other forums and applied everything that was said and I tried everything:
      - intense black appearance
      - export with and without profile
      - etc etc
      And nothing changes :/

      What's strange is that when I select the black color from my palette and check the CMYK composition, it has changed to 74/64/62/80.. so I manually change the color but I still encounter this issue when exporting..
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  2. contrariness Posted messages 17905 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   6 244
     
    Have to see...
    File menu / document color mode = CMYK
    Menu "Edit/Color (workspace)"
    View menu/"Proofing format"

    In these windows you have settings that influence the output of your PDF..

    What are the values of your black in the PDF?
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    1. Fanny
       
      CMYK workspace
      Settings: general use Europe 3
      RGB: sRGB
      CMYK: coated fogra39
      Proof format: CMYK workspace coated fogra39

      In my Illustrator file, I used the Pantone Process Black C, in my software it appears as deep black but in the PDF it looks all gray.. and yet it is marked at 100% in the composition.

      And even in my palette, the 100% black appears gray, in the palette and when I apply it too, that’s what I don’t understand ^^'
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  3. contrariness Posted messages 17905 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   6 244
     
    The FOGRA39 profile is intended for the conversion of RGB to CMYK... it is a classic profile.

    If you use Pantone Process Black, you are using a different solid tone than CMYK black... in color separation printing, you will have 2 shades: CMYK black + Pantone black!

    On-screen, it is very likely that you will notice a difference between CMYK black and Pantone black since they are 2 different colors...
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    1. Fanny
       
      So, should I change the profile? I'm not very familiar with this ^^'

      And that would explain why my CMJN black appears gray even in the palette on my software?

      What's strange is that I've never touched this profile and it always worked fine; it's this PDF and gray issue that I don't understand...
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    2. contrariness Posted messages 17905 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   6 244 > Fanny
       
      Let's start from the basics.
      If you're working in CMYK, it's probably because you're going to print in color separation.
      So your CMYK black and your Pantone black are two different blacks...

      Unless it's necessary, do not use Pantone black.

      The profile is only used for converting different color spaces (e.g. from RGB to CMYK), just like in Photoshop... The software can simulate the display using the profile if you include elements that are not in CMYK. If your work is already in CMYK, the profile is useless unless you decide to embed it in the PDF file when creating it, in which case, you will have a conversion to that profile.
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    3. Fanny > contrariness Posted messages 17905 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       
      So, I created a new document without using a Pantone this time and my black appears intense black at last!
      But still that color change when exporting... with and without profile.
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    4. contrariness Posted messages 17905 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   6 244 > Fanny
       
      Are you talking about the difference on screen between black in Illustrator and black in the PDF?
      That's not what matters... what matters is to ensure that the black in the PDF is indeed a 100% black.
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    5. Fanny > contrariness Posted messages 17905 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       
      I did the test with a simple black square and the preview of my Illustrator file appears gray and my PDF too.
      When I check the output preview, the indicated values are:
      Cyan 0%
      Magenta 0%
      Yellow 0%
      Black 0%
      And when I uncheck the black from the separations list, my black square disappears so I guess there's only black, but then why 0%?
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  4. Fanny
     
    Thank you for your help!
    I will test all of this tomorrow by removing the pantone and the profile during my recording.
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