Error - Object in DeviceRGB Color Space

Printing and Prepress
#1

I have some printers that are receiving the error message “Object in DeviceRGB Color Space” on a file I have prepared for them and I’m not sure what to do. It’s a large illustrated ad, with assets built in Illustrator and the final layout built in InDesign. I saved and exported it to them as a PDF/X1a and thought that would be fine.

They sent back a message advising that I convert it to CMYK which I’ve done, and did before I sent it to them in the first place. I have never received this error message before in preflight and I’m confused by how to fix it. I can provide further context if need be! Any help would be great!

Thanks!

#2

It sounds like you have a hidden object with a RGB profile?

Are you sure that you’ve converted everything, aka objects, in CMYK profile?

Greetings,

#3

Run a preflight in InDesign.
Sounds like you have an image or raster item with a scanner RGB color profile (some stock photos come with weird camera or scanner profiles.)
“converting” your Indesign to CMYK won’t necessarily pick that up.

#4

It could be an object on a hidden layer, or behind something, or on the pasteboard in either Illustrator or InDesign. It could be an unused RGB colour in the swatches.

#5

90% sure.

But I’ll go back through and double check, and maybe rebuild. Some of the assets are before my time with this company.

Thank you!

#6

I’ll do that as well!

Thank you!

#7

Oof. I’ll take a look and see.

Appreciate your help!

#8

You also have to check your Illustrator assets. They won’t necessarily flag in InDesign preflight.
Your printer may be getting an error on a placed asset file that has something RGB in it.

The absolute worst offender is a text start in Illy (a click but no text.) Do a Select>Object>Stray Points check if you can’t find something.

2 Likes