Overprint simulation on image file exports (JPEG for example)
I think that it would add great value when Illustrator exports to image file the option to add overprint simulation, in the same way as InDesign easily does.
I would add great benefit to our jobs and would simplify some steps (not going to InDesign just to do that).
Armindo Paulo Ferreira
shared this idea
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Julie Brzozkiewicz
commented
Adding a comment to confirm that the overprint simulation is STILL not showing up in raster exports when spot colors are used up through Illustrator 2025. This is something that is especially important when it comes to clients who may be reviewing concepts via presentation decks or when files are routed for approval in content management systems that use the PDF preview such as Workfront. As much as we reiterate to reviewers that they should not be reviewing color via Workfront (or similar CMS systems), it's a common comment. There has got to be a better way to simulate spot overprints in raster image exports that don't require just taking screenshots of an Illustrator or Acrobat document with overprint preview turned on.
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Ton commented
Works for process but not for spot colors
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Ton, I test it with the latest Beta at Windows 11 machine and it still works for me :/
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It may have worked in 2023, but in 2024 and 2025 it does not
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troyjack
commented
Thank you Egor and Armindo for testing.
Not sure where I went wrong in my original art, but it definitely does work when I start over using Egor's steps. Thanks again! -
Yes, I just tested it and it works. Steps are:
1. Create a couple or rectangles, I made cyan and magenta
2. Apply Overprint Fill to the top one
3. Enable Overprint Preview — actually it does not matter, it always gets exported the same, if it’s on or not
4. Export the JPEG. Options are irrelevant
5. Check the file — the overprint is there
Does it work the same for you? -
Armindo Paulo Ferrreira commented
Hi @troyjack !
I've tested it a few moments ago with a CMYK .jpeg and you're right. There is no difference .
So it seems like they have changed that behavior. Right now it exports JPEG with Overprint simulation even if Overprint Preview mode is on or off.
I didn't know about it... but it's ok because if document has paths with overprints they will output colors correctly. -
troyjack
commented
Re: @egorchistyakov "As far as I know, Illustrator export the simulated overprints when you enable View > Overprint Preview option. Does it work for you?"
Can you please explain how this is done? I've tried every method I can think of, and overprints will not export, even with overprint preview enabled.
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Armindo, yes, there is a separate request to have mixed inks swatches: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/31966252-mixed-ink-swatch-like-indesign (and it has your vote already). Just sharing this link here for other users who might want to vote too.
But I don’t see we have a separate request about keeping spot colors while exporting a PSD — and I believe it’s an important valid feature. Ps and Ai should collaborate on this.
Can you please log it as a separate feature request? Share the link here for everybody else. Will gladly vote for it..
As for this one — I am closing it, since the solution exists, if you don’t mind. -
Armindo Paulo Ferreira
commented
It's true Egor. I've tried all those options before and it's a real pain to get the extra channels from a Illustrator file right into Photoshop but not into a PDFx... maybe you guys one day will figure it out a way to have even more options to convert a file from Illustrator to Photoshop preserving all the extra Spot channels.
I work mostly in packaging and it's common sometimes have more than just CMYK layouts... but Illustrator cannot even have features like Mixed Inks (as InDesign had it for long years). Maybe if you guys implement the extra colors as Inks and then have a check box only for PSD file export... i don't know but the fact is this is something still very obscured.
There's other topics about Mixed Inks in which i've participated too... it's another feature that would make Illustrator even more connected with InDesign (and Photoshop).
As i'm more an Illustrator power user first to everything and just so then i go to InDesign with my illustrator layouts, that has made Mixed Inks become a feature that less people use but if it was added first to Illustrator it would had a massive adoption.And yes... Mixed Inks are deeply connected with overprint features and also exporting those extra colors in more channels even if we are exporting in CMYK mode (as CMYK + extra colors)... that's why i deviated with this.
Anyway... Egor you really clarified this thing about Overprint with export files. Thank you about that! Really appreciated all your feedback. Awesome!
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Yes, it cannot. Of course it cannot.
'Overprint' is an option for an object, it can’t be applied to a pixel selection. Even when you export it as a layered document — a layer in Photoshop just doesn’t have an 'overprint' as a thing, as a concept, at all — only blend modes (and knockout settings and conditional blending).
So if you want something to get 'overprinted', you have to use blending modes and flatten transparency in Ai.Pantones and spot colors in general are a bit different.
While JPEGs obviously can’t have more channels than the standard implies, but PSDs can, right? But in fact it’s a shared problem. If you save your document with spot colors as a PDF, and check it in Acrobat, using Output Preview or Ink Manager — it will show you your spot channels. But if you try to import this PDF in Photoshop — this info will be lost, because Illustrator EXPORTS in a designated color space (RGB, CMYK), and Photoshop IMPORTS as the designated color space (RGB, CMYK or Lab). It’s always a conversion.(Edited by admin) -
Armindo Paulo Ferreira
commented
In response to Egor Chistyakov @egorchistyakov, who explained how it really works, i've tested it and in fact Illustrator can export with overprint simulation if Overprint Preview is active.
Great!However, Illustrator just cannot output extra colors or channels (Spots, Pantones) of the artwork and renders it as just plain RGB or CMYK tones... even in a .psd file.
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As far as I know, Illustrator export the simulated overprints when you enable View > Overprint Preview option. Does it work for you?
