Color changes when image is sent through Acrobat 6 distiller

[Terry_Lyle@adobeforums.com]

We have images of our products which are white mugs with dark blue handles and lids. The images are created in a separate 3-D program then saved as photoshop eps images. The images are placed on various sales sheets and proofs then sent to the customer as PDF files. The lid and handle colors are reflex blue. When we make the PDF file directly from Illustrator the lid and handle colors look correct (reflex blue). When the files are sent through the distiller the color changes to a lighter blue, almost cyan. We have various other lid and handle colors as well, but it's seems to be only the reflex blue that changes after going through the distiller.
Can anyone help us get a truer color through the distiller? We convert a lot of files and would hate to do this manually.
Thanks!
Terry Lyle

[MikeKazlow@adobeforums.com]

Terry,

Why not save the Illustrator file as a pdf directly and avoid
distiller.

Mike

[peter kleinheider]

Terry,

Distiller only changes color, if the Color Management Policies of Distillers Adobe Color Settings are not set up properly. Best to choose "Leave Color unchanged".

If the color is still wrong, then there is an unwanted color conversion when issuing the "Print" command.

Another question: how do you judge the color? What is the color definition in Photoshop? What do you then measure in the PDF?

When printing or exporting, you have to make sure that your Print/PDF Export Settings for color handling are set up to leave the color as is.

best regards

Peter

[Jon Bessant]

Indeed, what settings are used within Distiller ... but once again, why
not direct export from Illustrator?

Jon

[Terry_Lyle@adobeforums.com]

Sorry to take so long to follow up...things are hectic to say the least.
The reason we use the distiller is that it's part of an "automated" system that sends our art through the final processes for approval. Once the art is done, it's released and is sent is several directions including a sever that automatically alerts our customer and sales rep that a PDF proof is available for viewing. The PDF is automatically made along the way and sent to the sever. The automation is, of course, in place to avoid manual steps and reduce turn around time.
We only recently started putting product images on the proof along with the art and so have just discovered the problem.
With all your help we discovered the problem did indeed relate to color settings. Due to the nature of our print process we have a custom color setting in PS to accomodate that process. The product images were made using that setting. When we place the image in AI, the color changed (we discovered this when we embeded the image, which we normally don't do). We changed the color settings in AI to match those in PS....problem solved. The PDF files are now correct. So, it wasn't the distiller after all.
Simple, but we wouldn't have thought about it without input from your replys.
Thanks!

[boland_anne@adobeforums.com]

I make my PDFs in the print window, selecting Adobe PDF 7.0. The print window comes up as CMYK in the colours option, which is what i want. But when I "save to pdf" in the print dialog box, the pdf is saved in rgb format--even when the original is in cmyk format. How can I get the pdf to save in the same color format as the original? Anne

[boland_anne@adobeforums.com]

When I "save to pdf" in the print dialog box, the pdf is saved in rgb format--even when the original is in cmyk format. How can I get the pdf to save in the same color format as the original (no color conversion)? Anne

[MikeKazlow@adobeforums.com]

The save to pdf in the print dialog box is Apple's own pdf creation
technology and has nothing to do with the Adobe Acrobat Product.

Mike