Check Before Submit

RGB / CMYK Checker for PDFs

RGB is not automatically wrong: many printers convert it. Drop a PDF, tell us what your printer accepts, and see which colour spaces are used and what to do about them.

How the result is decided

  • Printer accepts RGB — RGB is reported as passed, with a note that colours can shift in conversion.
  • Printer asks for CMYK only — RGB is something to fix before sending.
  • Not sure — RGB is marked for review: check with your printer.
  • Black ink only — any colour content is marked for review, because every colour prints as a shade of grey.
  • Spot colours and Lab are always marked for review; CMYK and greyscale pass.

The table lists each colour space with the number of images, the number of colour settings for text and graphics, whether an ICC profile is attached, and the pages where it appears.

What it does not check

Total ink coverage, rich black, overprint, and how colours will look after conversion. It detects colour spaces; it does not measure colours.

FAQ

Should I convert my PDF to CMYK?
Only if your printer asks for it. Many digital printers and print-on-demand services accept RGB and convert it themselves. If they ask for CMYK, convert in your design software, ideally with their ICC profile.
What is a spot colour?
A named ink such as a Pantone colour. It prints as a separate ink only if you ordered it; otherwise the printer converts it to CMYK.
My file is black text only. Why does it show greyscale?
Black text is usually defined in greyscale or as the default black, which is fine for printing.

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