Thanks so much Egor, i hope have a good news for update shortly. Since this thing was let prepress headache a long time ago.

I am a mere user with a badge who works in Ai and reads UV a lot, so my influence is limited. I wish I had a better solution. Votes matter a lot though. So yes, the team would have to prioritize it, and it won’t happen instantly.

Appreciate that, Egor. So it seem like i can't do anything now, just hope you can help on this, but it really impossible that adobe will update this right?

I see, It looks my workaround uses Microsoft Print to PDF printer. It can’t play real overprints and bakes those down, being a GDI/XPS printer. Adobe one is true PostScript... Well, I voted for the request for a reason. Ai is missing a ton of stuff, including Ink Manager that would have helped us :(

Nice that i saw yours got this, but attachment is mine, have a look and guide me if wrong. Appreciate.

When I try the procedure I described, it works for me. Take a look at the PDF I got printed, attached. Can you please show a video of you trying?

Hi Egor, following the No.3 step, it wasn't same as well.

@Chiew YZ, sure.
1. Illustrator team has UserVoice database integrated with their internal tools. Each issue logged at UV gets a ticket automatically. Internal IDs aren’t exposed publicly, but UV IDs are. This issue can be tracked by its URI, https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/37832167
2. It is still opened, and so far nothing is known if it’s going to be picked up and when. UV contributes a lot into the prioritization, but it’s not the only force. Generally, the more votes — the higher the chances.
3. I had this problem personally when designing complex Pantone-based docs, and the only workaround I know that works is: File > Print; set Printer to PDF; make sure the Output has Composite mode, and Advanced has Simulate for Overprints. This one can be later exported into a proofing image.

Hi Egor,
Could you please clarify:

1. Is there an official Adobe bug ID or tracking reference for this issue?

2. Is the issue still open, and is there any planned fix or target version?

3. Is there a confirmed export workaround that preserves the Darken appearance without modifying the original AI artwork?

I would appreciate a definitive status update, as this issue has persisted for years and continues to affect production workflows.

Hi, Egor, personally, I think the layout is different. If merging is more convenient for you, I can accept it.
Btw, i do need to let you know it happen on both operating system (mac and window) too.
The reason I need this function is because I am a prepress and printing engineer. Currently, I'm encountering customers who are dissatisfied with our alterations to their original documents when receiving our jpg file. However, since inside the AI view are exactly the same as what customer provided file, I really need to be able to solve this problem. It's like no matter what I do, the exported JPG or other picture files type need to be identical.

I see. So then this is a known problem, about exported images not respecting overprints.
Overprint simulation on image file exports (JPEG for example)
https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/37832167
Would you mind me merging this one into it, or do you think this differs enough?
If so — can you tell why, and, actually, what was the real case behind the need? I’m just curious.

That's a spot color with LAB value, the file was as attachment.

Something is off here... What color does this orange square have? Isn’t it a spot book color? or is it a process one? I’d say something like 0-55-85-0, right? This 55 to get this orange tint is higher than the 35 that magenta square atop has — so it should not be any darker than the bg, because the M isn’t darker. The Overprint Preview you have should be the ground truth here, but it seems it lies... Can you share the file, please?

Operating System: Window 11
Product: Adobe Illustrator
Version: 28.7.1
Issue type: Export / Blending Mode / Transparency Rendering
Severity: High impact on prepress workflow

Summary:

The Darken blending mode renders correctly on the Illustrator artboard but disappears completely when exporting the artwork to raster formats. The issue occurs with both JPEG and PNG exports.

The same artwork exports correctly when the blending mode is changed from Darken to Multiply.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Create a new CMYK document in Adobe Illustrator 28.7.14.

2. Draw a vector object and set its CMYK fill to C=0, M=35, Y=0, K=0.

3. Place another colored Pantone 715 C with 100% solid vector object underneath it.

4. Select the magenta vector object.

4. Open Window → Transparency.

5. Set the blending mode to Darken and opacity to 100%.

6. Confirm that the Darken effect is visible on the artboard in overprint preview mode.

7. Export the artwork using File → Export → Export As → JPEG, same as PNG

8. Open the exported files and compare them with the original Illustrator artwork.

Actual Result:

The Darken blending effect is visible in Illustrator but disappears in both the exported JPEG and PNG files.

Expected Result:

The exported raster images should visually match the artwork displayed on the Illustrator artboard, including the rendered Darken blending effect.

Troubleshooting Already Performed:

Confirmed that the vector uses a process CMYK fill of C=0, M=35, Y=0, K=0, and Pantone 715C=100.

Confirmed that object opacity is 100%.

Checked the object stacking order and grouping.

Confirmed that Overprint Fill is not enabled.

Tested JPEG export using maximum quality and 300 ppi.

Tested PNG export.

Tested PDF export and subsequent conversion to JPEG.

Tested Multiply using the same vector artwork; the effect exports correctly.

Created a new CMYK test document with overlapping vector objects; the Darken effect still disappears during raster export.

Impact on Production Workflow:

The issue affects prepress workflows that rely on exported JPEG or PNG previews for artwork approval and verification. The exported image may not accurately represent the original Illustrator artwork, potentially causing incorrect visual approvals or unnecessary production rework.

The current workaround is not satisfactory because changing Darken to Multiply may alter the intended color appearance.

Request to Adobe:

Please investigate why the Darken blending mode renders correctly on the Illustrator artboard but is not preserved in exported raster images in version 28.7.14.

Please advise whether this is a known issue, whether a fix or patch is available, and what export workflow can preserve the intended appearance without modifying the original artwork.

Additional evidence available: Original AI test file, exported JPEG and PNG files, and screenshots comparing the artboard with the exported results.

It's 2026 and I'm doing something with spot overprints and they're *still* not showing up in Export For Web, Export As, or Export For Screens.

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.

Works for process but not for spot colors

Ton, I test it with the latest Beta at Windows 11 machine and it still works for me :/

It may have worked in 2023, but in 2024 and 2025 it does not

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!