Expert: Amy - 8/13/2009

Question
I often create page layout designs for web pages in Illustrator, then transfer the graphics into Photoshop (CS4) to finish up. The problem I have is that the colours change drastically when I paste them or place them in Photoshop from Illustrator. Specifically, they get washed out. I have colour set to RBG in both applications and sRGB colour space in Photoshop. I have tried with Pantone and RGB colours. Adjusting the colour settings in Photoshop. I have a huey calibrated monitor. How do I get the colours I see on screen in Illustrator to appear the same in Photoshop?

Answer
Hi Jeff,

Pardon if these directions refer to menu locations that have moved in CS4. I still use CS3.

You mention you're working in sRGB color space in PhotoShop. I want to make sure you're not just soft proofing in sRGB.

Open your PS document and go to Edit > Assign Profile and choose sRGB. Then go to View > Proof Setup and choose Macintosh RGB.*

In Illustrator, do exactly the same... go to Edit > Assign Profile and choose sRGB and make sure you are proofing using the Macintosh RGB profile.

When you cut and paste from AI now, it should be identical (for Pantone colors, too). I attached a screen shot of a sample I did, with AI on the left and PS on the right. You can see the RGB values are identical.

If it is not, let me know and we'll figure out why.

One more thing. Under Edit > Color Settings in both apps, make sure that [ ] Ask when pasting is checked for Profile Mismatches. It shouldn't affect you if both documents are set up identically, but I want you to be aware that it's there.


-Amy

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*When I work for web, I assign an sRGB profile to the document then use the Macintosh RGB soft proof setup instead of the sRGB space. This seems to be the best set up for me. You can choose whatever you like, just make sure to use the same for both.