How to Convert Pantone to CMYK
Pantone color, commonly referred to as PMS colors, is a color-matching system designed to make sure the colors designers pick from a swatch book match the actual printed piece. Pantone colors work best with vector-based programs like Adobe Illustrator, InDesign or Quark XPress because they color separate better than other programs. Converting Pantone colors to CMYK is essential for four-color printing and simple to do in all three programs.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Adobe Illustrator or InDesign (CS 1 or higher) or Quark XPress (5 or higher)
-
Converting Pantone to CMYK in Adobe Illustrator
-
1
Go to the "File" menu and select "Document Color Mode." Then select "CMYK Color."
-
2
Click and drag a marquee around the entire image to select all the elements.
-
3
Go to the "Filter" menu and select "Colors ..."
-
4
Select "Convert to CMYK."
-
5
Deselect all items. Click on an element and check the color values in the "Color" window to make sure it's been converted to CMYK. Save your document with a different name to avoid overwriting the original file.
Converting Pantone to CMYK in Adobe InDesign
-
1
Go to the "Window" menu and open the "Swatches" palette.
-
2
Click the arrow in the upper left-hand corner of the "Swatches" palette and select "Select All Unused." Click the trash can icon to delete any extraneous colors in your document.
-
3
Double-click a Pantone color in the "Swatches" palette.
-
4
Change the "Color Mode" drop-down menu to "CMYK." Change the "Color Type" drop-down menu to "Process." Click "OK."
-
5
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for every Pantone color in your document. Save your document with a different name to avoid overwriting the original file.
Converting Pantone to CMYK in Quark XPress
-
1
Go to the "Edit" menu and select "Colors ..."
-
2
Double-click the name of the Pantone color you want to convert to CMYK.
-
3
Click on the "Spot Color" check box to make sure it's set to "Off."
-
4
Click on the "Model" drop-down menu and change it to "CMYK."
-
5
Click "OK" and then click "Save." Save your document with a different name to avoid overwriting the original file.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Check the Pantone to Process swatch book to see what your colors will look like when printed in CMYK inks.
Spot-color printing and CMYK print are two different processes. Switching your Pantone colors to CMYK will change the color from what you might have originally picked. InDesign or QuarkXpress can automatically convert Pantone colors to CMYK when you output your file, but if they have Illustrator files placed in the layout, it's best to convert the Illustrator files to CMYK in their native program for the best results.
