CMYK swatch changes to RGB

[mejohnso]

Hello-
I have specific CMYK values I'm trying to use in InDesign. When I add the CMYK swatch, the values change to RGB, so when I view the values in CMYK, they are not the same as originally specified. Is there a setting that I can set to specify CMYK for all parts of the document? All images, etc, are CMYK when placed in the document.

Thanks!
mel

 

[apepp]

...do you mean they change when you output/print the file or when you add them to the swatch?

Andrew

 

[jmgalvin]

I assume you're bringing in the swatch when you insert an image, as opposed to making a new swatch in the swatches window.

If so, make sure you use the Place command rather than copy/paste from another app. Depending on the type of image, INDD can change it to low quality rgb whne pasted from clipboard. This does not happen with Place.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[mejohnso]

I am using them as page backgrounds, so they are created by "add new cmyk swatch". When I check the colors by double clicking, the values have changed to the RGB version, which is close, but not right.

Thanks for your help!

 

[apepp]

hi mel...

...there are a few methods in indesign to create colors, are you double clicking the fill square to create your color (this is in the color palette)?

...doing this may create off colors, shifting the percentages...

...in the flyout window of the swatches palette, choose new color swatch...

...color type needs to be process, enter the cmyk values you need and press ok, this adds it to the palette...


Andrew

 

[apepp]

...to add...

...the flyout menu/window is the arrow top right of the swatches palette...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...the alternative is the new swatch button at the bottom of the swatches palette (next to the trash icon), double click the newly created swatch to adjust the colors...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...mmm...

...what has also just occurred to me is whether you are really talking about illustrator and not indesign...

...if illustrator has a document mode of RGB any color your create in the color swatch will be added as RGB...

...to change the color mode in illustrator, choose file > document color mode > cmyk...

Andrew

 

[mejohnso]

Thank you Andrew-
I am using InDesign, and the swatch palette was definitely the way to go. I was double clicking on the fill square, and it altered the values. I have now used the swatch palette and the colors are behaving quite nicely. Much cleaner.


Thanks for all your help!
Mel

 

[apepp]

...good to hear you are fixed now...

Andrew