Expert: Amy - 9/22/2005

Question
   Hi Amy,
I use a Pc- windows xp. I really hope you can help me out with this one!  I am trying to apply a pdf to a local newspaper who are telling me that the text part has to be one colour black instead of the four colours I have at present with adobe professional 7. I have downloaded illustrator 12cs but I have no clue how to change the pdf text so that it is only one colour Black. I thought it would be simple...what a nightmare!
Would appreciate it hugely if you can help (I'm not very tecky, so simple as poss please!)
Regards,
Jim

Answer
HIya Jim

It's pretty simple... certainly not nightmarish... I hope.

What you have is a CMYK (possible four ink mix) black and you need a K black (one ink, black).

Open your PDF file in Illustrator.  Make sure everything looks correct. Sometimes PDF docs get a little funny when you try to open them in Illustrator.  Fonts, especially.

Then select all.  (Ctrl + A)

Then go to Filters > Colors > Convert to Grayscale.

Everything in your document will now be a percentage of one ink - black.  If it looks right, fantastic!  You might have to go in and individually adjust a few items (some may be too light or dark, etc.).

That's basically it. Then re-save it.

Gradients will not convert.  That has to be done manually. If you have gradients, let me know and I can give you more help.

If you want me to look at the file, I can certainly help you out. AmyLynPace@yahoo.com is my address.

Hope everything works out.
-Amy Pace