Black text converts to CMYK.

[Sparky]

I've been reading this forum 4 times now and I finally see what I need to ask.

1. what size is the black type?
2. is it printing over CMYK?
3. Have you tried selecting the type and in the "Attributes Pallet" made sure "Overprint" is not selected?

What I see is what most programs do by default, they automatically overprint any black text that is 24pt or smaller (thus mixing the inks) unless you change those settings in the trapping preferences.

The other issue is that I find ID, and Illy will convert spot color drop-shadows to CMYK on the fly. I tried to do a 2/color header for a calendar the other day with Black text and a PMS blue drop-shadow. when I exported it to PDF the drop-shadow showed up as a CMYK mix. (yes even though I choose no conversion and leave colors as is)

The special "effects" just don't want to play by the same rules as the rest of the program does. :cry:

And last, when you say you check the type in print preview in Acrobat what does the background measure directly next to the black text? are the CMY values the same as the CMYK in the black text? or are you saying that the black (0,0,0,100) text on a white background changes to a rich black (60c,45m,43y,95k or similar)?

Just curious, maybe post a reduced version of the document for us to see.

[yldziner]

Well, yeah. I set the text to overprint. It's mostly 10 pt. text. Why would I want the text to K.O. from the background or trap to the background?

[Sparky]

so now you're confusing me. You say you ARE overprinting the black text but you don't understand why it changes to CMYK??? am I missing something here? If you mix CMY with black text then you get CMYK text NO?

Is the black changing it's value say from 100% to 95%?

[yldziner]

The 100% black, is overprinting a background of 4c 15m 71y 0k. However in the pdf file, the "black" text reads as 70c 67m 64y 74k, and it is giving that reading where the background is white, also.

[Sparky]

Thank You, thats a little more clear...

I'll check it in the morning