Editor › Learn › CMYK Conversion Checklist: Convert Once, Correctly
What is the correct order of steps for converting an image to CMYK?
Profile first (the printer's, not a generic), then soft-proof and fix in RGB, then convert once with the agreed intent and black point compensation, then inspect the plates, then export with the profile embedded. Print this page — the print stylesheet strips navigation and yields a clean reference card.
Before converting
- The printing condition's ICC profile is loaded (ask the printer; "CMYK" alone is not a destination).
- Rendering intent agreed or defaulted: relative colorimetric + BPC; perceptual for very saturated photography.
- Soft proof enabled with that exact profile/intent/BPC; problem colours adjusted in RGB.
- RGB master saved.
Converting
- Image ▸ Mode ▸ CMYK — once.
- No saturation "fixes" after conversion; if it needs work, undo and adjust in RGB.
After converting
- Channels panel: shadow depth mostly on K; text black on K alone.
- Visual pass against the soft-proofed intention, not the RGB original.
- Export TIFF/PDF with the profile embedded; reopen and verify mode + profile.
Questions
- The printer just said "send CMYK" with no profile — now what?
- Ask once; good printers answer. If none is forthcoming, use the regional standard for the paper type (e.g. a FOGRA coated/uncoated profile in Europe, GRACoL/SWOP in the US) and SAY which one you used in the delivery note.