The problem with Cairo is that it doesn't yet support CMYK, or, to put in in a more technical language, it doesn't yet support color management, color separation and spot colors. This is not because Cairo folks are not interested in that, but because they don't have a dedicated developer to work on it, and it's a lot of work.
another question, CMS tab behavior was a bit weird, when I switch to swop profile it goes back to none kinda automatically in sort of blink of an eye
it's on windows 10 version 92.5 and svg file, nothing complex plain box and I was trying to figure out how to work with cmyk kinda even the cmyk sliders were not really cmyk as the colors could get really saturated and more of RGB style. exported it and it all stayed the same despite linking only swop profile from the document properties -> colors
is that kinda deprecated part due to what you said the lack of color management and color separation or were I doing something wrong?
I'm no expert either, but IIRC color profile needs to be set like three places: Preferences, Document Properties and in the fill/stroke dialog. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong (likely).
You can check the bug reports for any recent bugs in the workaround too.
Tyler is very right. First you have to add a colour profile in the document settings. After that, you can select an object and go to the CMS tab. (So you do not go to the CMYK tab, that is not what you need, that is still only within RGB space..) There you find the fix option, where you can select the colour profile for that one selected object. After this, the colour will change a bit. But in the CMS tab the profile disappears again here. That might be a bug.
If you export the file, does it mean you have exported it as a pdf? Because then it will still be only within the RGB colourspace. The trick is, to open your svg file in Scribus, check/ tweak the colours, and then export it as a pdf with CMYK.
I think if you often need CMYK, it is easier to use an extra program.
and speaking of the pdf file, you mean it will only fix the colors in inkscape but won't change it actually to cmyk profile? or if it does then why wouldn't it be able to produce print-ready files aka pdfs
unless it uses rgb for pdfs and cmyk only for svg images and yet I don't understand, because even then it should be able to produce correct cmyk pdfs because pdfs usually contain vector graphics so if the svgs inside the pdf are cmyk and correct it should work perfectly fine ig ?
Hi Mattheo, It is confusing and this feature is not complete in Inkscape. No, Inkscape doesn't produce pdf with real CMYK colours. I think I read somewhere that this route with appointing the colour profile in the svg file.. and then opening it in Scribus that is a workaround. Scribus then makes the CMYK pdf file.
Have you installed a CMYK colour profile on your computer? And were you able to appoint it in the document properties?
Here it works with Windows 8.1 and Inkscape 0.92.5. I had to click on the arrow on the right side of the word <none>. But again, if you want to produce CMYK pdf's it is wise to find another program.
If you want to know, just ask! Installing an extra .icc profile is not difficult.
I found this open source program which converts bitmap files: https://cyan.fxarena.net/. That is not a pdf, but it is something. The explanation on the website helped me understand more.
Hi! Want to ask what cmyk icc profiles everyone usually use? When I searched one, I see a bunch! I don't have any yet client or the printer that I can asked what icc profile they use but I just want to know already so I can know my limit, how far I can use Inkscape, in freelancing. Inkscape is the one I can only use as I'm using Linux so. Thank you for any answer!
Hello, I'm reviving this discussion so as not to scatter the info. I need to create many large documents in inkscape and find a solution for fast CMYK pdf eport. I have been looking for solutions to this problem and installed two extensions that are a bit old and buggy in the latest version of python. There is a Git but no fix for several years. And I am not an expert in Python. By any chance, has the CMYK option been integrated into inkscape natively since those dates? I have a pdf export, but it never asks me for the CMYK option. Thank you for your answers.
There are solutions for that problem. I am also a bit frustrated about this matter. The best and worst solution at the same time is sK1. The very best solution is to import Inkscape documents in Scribus and edit it there for perfection. But if you want to optimise these documents before importing in Scribus sK1 might be an option as well as if you don't want to use Scribus for finishing. For creation and editing is Inkscape suited much better. But it lacks for prepress and professional print several functions. CMYK support is one of them but also SPOT colors, gamut mapping, separations, bleed and more.
sK1 2.0 is professional quality open source illustration software for Windows, GNU/Linux and macOS platforms. sK1 2.0 is a powerful and mature application that makes users more productive and provides them professional and free solution even for exotic *nix OSes. Whether you are a newbie user or an experienced designer, sK1 2.0 makes it easy to get started. With its professional color-management engine and wide-range file format compatibility, sK1 2.0 provides color accuracy and drawing flexibility you need for all types of projects.
The application is written using wxWidgets toolkit, so it is a real cross-platform software which uses platform specific controls. sK1 2.0 supports professional publishing features, such as multiple page document, CMYK color, separations, ICC color management, professional precise printing and press-ready PDF output. So this application could substitute professional proprietary software like CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator.
With UniConvertor Inkscape used to have ties to this project but cut them at some point. I recommend to fork it. I would do it myself if I could but I don't have the knowledge. This might be a good opportunity for a Google Summer of Code (GSoC) project in 2023 or 2024.
Thank you for your answer. I have downloaded the latest versions of SK1 and all the projects on this site, unfortunately the versions are compatible until ubuntu 2020 and olds versions. There is no download possible for ubuntu 2022 LTS versions. So nothing works. Unless you have other download links for more recent versions? I'm afraid that looking at the home page of the site, the unfortunate death of the main developer may have put an end to the SK1 project. That's sad.
No, sadly not. sK1 2.0 RC5 works for me under Windows quite well. Scribus 1.5.8 imported the PDF file I tested correct. The file contained only a few shapes but CMYK colors, CMYK spot colors, RGB spot colors, greyscale, with and without transparency. The SVG file is in RGB of cause and I didn't test the other formats yet that support other color spaces. CDR export doesn't seem to work.
Precisely because the project appears to be clinically dead, I thought the fork made sense. On GitHub I find the last entries from June and July 2021. The son has probably taken control and wants to continue it according to this status. After the stable version is released, the migration to Python 3 should happen. An additional browser version was also under discussion. It was at that time the vision to make sK1 the market leader among the free programs. But there were only 87 submissions in 2021 and none since October 2021. If you want to contact them - maybe they will provide you more data. However, I am not very optimistic as I think they want to create their own standalone application and not join/subordinate to Inkscape. Still, I think both sides would benefit from a merger.
Right now I see sK1 as more of a middle ground between Inkscape as a vector graphics editor and Scribus as desktop publishing software. But they wanted to develop an application that combines both and arguably makes Scribus obsolete. At least for most tasks, since it's aimed at prepress professionals. In terms of design, sK1 can't hold a candle to Inkscape by a long shot, but it wants to be able to set type professionally in all languages. It is probably intended to be a full-fledged desktop publishing software, so the direct competitor is likely to be CorelDRAW, which has to be beaten. But with the functions of sK1, this should be a very old version of CorelDRAW. I won't quibble, small teams have a hard time developing complex software. Money and manpower are usually severely limited. And then when part of the team leaves (for whatever reason), it's a bit of a tragedy. I wonder if the Scribus team isn't at the end as well. Because they too lost an important team member. So it can't hurt to consider turning Inkscape into a full-fledged DTP program as well, which is best suited for prepress. But this would be a long-term project and has no priority. Expanding the basic functionality in this area is more important. Inkscape can also do some CAD. In order not to overload the program with functions for prepress, I advise to outsource them to modules or to a separate program. This would keep the user interface clear, but provide many new and needed functions. With the basic functions already available, a good imposition program could be created: N-Up, Booklet, Letterpress and much more. But this would require a significant improvement in performance to handle many pages. But folders with less than 30 pages I think are feasible. Again, I think we should let Scribus keep this core competency (DTP) as long as development continues.
Beyond the Basics CMYK support
Inkscape.org
Hi there I am new and all, but it's a bit weird that CMYK still not supported till today.
is it not possible to even just use Scribus engine or just use the core that handles CMYK or something?
like the functionality already exists in other opensource application, why not even copy it and credit the authors for it?
It is not trivial.
Maybe you have read this: http://libregraphicsworld.org/blog/entry/getting-cmyk-colors-from-inkscape-to-scribus
another question, CMS tab behavior was a bit weird, when I switch to swop profile it goes back to none kinda automatically in sort of blink of an eye
it's on windows 10 version 92.5 and svg file, nothing complex plain box and I was trying to figure out how to work with cmyk kinda even the cmyk sliders were not really cmyk as the colors could get really saturated and more of RGB style. exported it and it all stayed the same despite linking only swop profile from the document properties -> colors
is that kinda deprecated part due to what you said the lack of color management and color separation or were I doing something wrong?
I am kinda new.
I'm no expert either, but IIRC color profile needs to be set like three places: Preferences, Document Properties and in the fill/stroke dialog. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong (likely).
You can check the bug reports for any recent bugs in the workaround too.
Hi there,
Tyler is very right.
First you have to add a colour profile in the document settings.
After that, you can select an object and go to the CMS tab.
(So you do not go to the CMYK tab, that is not what you need, that is still only within RGB space..)
There you find the fix option, where you can select the colour profile for that one selected object.
After this, the colour will change a bit.
But in the CMS tab the profile disappears again here. That might be a bug.
If you export the file, does it mean you have exported it as a pdf? Because then it will still be only within the RGB colourspace.
The trick is, to open your svg file in Scribus, check/ tweak the colours, and then export it as a pdf with CMYK.
I think if you often need CMYK, it is easier to use an extra program.
here if you see, fix button doesn't work either
and speaking of the pdf file, you mean it will only fix the colors in inkscape but won't change it actually to cmyk profile? or if it does then why wouldn't it be able to produce print-ready files aka pdfs
unless it uses rgb for pdfs and cmyk only for svg images and yet I don't understand, because even then it should be able to produce correct cmyk pdfs because pdfs usually contain vector graphics so if the svgs inside the pdf are cmyk and correct it should work perfectly fine ig ?
I am sorta confused to be honest
Hi Mattheo,
It is confusing and this feature is not complete in Inkscape. No, Inkscape doesn't produce pdf with real CMYK colours.
I think I read somewhere that this route with appointing the colour profile in the svg file.. and then opening it in Scribus that is a workaround.
Scribus then makes the CMYK pdf file.
Have you installed a CMYK colour profile on your computer?
And were you able to appoint it in the document properties?
Here it works with Windows 8.1 and Inkscape 0.92.5. I had to click on the arrow on the right side of the word <none>.
But again, if you want to produce CMYK pdf's it is wise to find another program.
I really didn't install color profiles I thought it would be something preshipped with applications usually, anyway
Thanks @Kirstie and I will keep that in mind.
Hi Matheo,
If you want to know, just ask! Installing an extra .icc profile is not difficult.
I found this open source program which converts bitmap files: https://cyan.fxarena.net/.
That is not a pdf, but it is something. The explanation on the website helped me understand more.
Hi! Want to ask what cmyk icc profiles everyone usually use? When I searched one, I see a bunch! I don't have any yet client or the printer that I can asked what icc profile they use but I just want to know already so I can know my limit, how far I can use Inkscape, in freelancing. Inkscape is the one I can only use as I'm using Linux so. Thank you for any answer!
I'd stick to working in RGB until someone asks for CMYK, then get the profile they specify.
Hello,
I'm reviving this discussion so as not to scatter the info. I need to create many large documents in inkscape and find a solution for fast CMYK pdf eport. I have been looking for solutions to this problem and installed two extensions that are a bit old and buggy in the latest version of python. There is a Git but no fix for several years. And I am not an expert in Python.
By any chance, has the CMYK option been integrated into inkscape natively since those dates? I have a pdf export, but it never asks me for the CMYK option. Thank you for your answers.
Nope. Sorry.
Ok and what would be the best, functional and most practical option for supports larger than a meter? (Because all our printers work in CMYK.)
Martin Owens released a video about the state of CMYK in Inkscape yesterday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6yRNgPem7E
Not a ton of info, but should be of value to anyone interested in this.
There are solutions for that problem. I am also a bit frustrated about this matter. The best and worst solution at the same time is sK1. The very best solution is to import Inkscape documents in Scribus and edit it there for perfection. But if you want to optimise these documents before importing in Scribus sK1 might be an option as well as if you don't want to use Scribus for finishing. For creation and editing is Inkscape suited much better. But it lacks for prepress and professional print several functions. CMYK support is one of them but also SPOT colors, gamut mapping, separations, bleed and more.
Quote by the project's website sk1project.net.
With UniConvertor Inkscape used to have ties to this project but cut them at some point. I recommend to fork it. I would do it myself if I could but I don't have the knowledge. This might be a good opportunity for a Google Summer of Code (GSoC) project in 2023 or 2024.
Hello Jochen Damm
Thank you for your answer. I have downloaded the latest versions of SK1 and all the projects on this site, unfortunately the versions are compatible until ubuntu 2020 and olds versions. There is no download possible for ubuntu 2022 LTS versions. So nothing works. Unless you have other download links for more recent versions? I'm afraid that looking at the home page of the site, the unfortunate death of the main developer may have put an end to the SK1 project. That's sad.
Hello Audace
No, sadly not. sK1 2.0 RC5 works for me under Windows quite well. Scribus 1.5.8 imported the PDF file I tested correct. The file contained only a few shapes but CMYK colors, CMYK spot colors, RGB spot colors, greyscale, with and without transparency. The SVG file is in RGB of cause and I didn't test the other formats yet that support other color spaces. CDR export doesn't seem to work.
Precisely because the project appears to be clinically dead, I thought the fork made sense. On GitHub I find the last entries from June and July 2021. The son has probably taken control and wants to continue it according to this status. After the stable version is released, the migration to Python 3 should happen. An additional browser version was also under discussion. It was at that time the vision to make sK1 the market leader among the free programs. But there were only 87 submissions in 2021 and none since October 2021. If you want to contact them - maybe they will provide you more data. However, I am not very optimistic as I think they want to create their own standalone application and not join/subordinate to Inkscape. Still, I think both sides would benefit from a merger.
Right now I see sK1 as more of a middle ground between Inkscape as a vector graphics editor and Scribus as desktop publishing software. But they wanted to develop an application that combines both and arguably makes Scribus obsolete. At least for most tasks, since it's aimed at prepress professionals. In terms of design, sK1 can't hold a candle to Inkscape by a long shot, but it wants to be able to set type professionally in all languages. It is probably intended to be a full-fledged desktop publishing software, so the direct competitor is likely to be CorelDRAW, which has to be beaten. But with the functions of sK1, this should be a very old version of CorelDRAW. I won't quibble, small teams have a hard time developing complex software. Money and manpower are usually severely limited. And then when part of the team leaves (for whatever reason), it's a bit of a tragedy. I wonder if the Scribus team isn't at the end as well. Because they too lost an important team member. So it can't hurt to consider turning Inkscape into a full-fledged DTP program as well, which is best suited for prepress. But this would be a long-term project and has no priority. Expanding the basic functionality in this area is more important. Inkscape can also do some CAD. In order not to overload the program with functions for prepress, I advise to outsource them to modules or to a separate program. This would keep the user interface clear, but provide many new and needed functions. With the basic functions already available, a good imposition program could be created: N-Up, Booklet, Letterpress and much more. But this would require a significant improvement in performance to handle many pages. But folders with less than 30 pages I think are feasible. Again, I think we should let Scribus keep this core competency (DTP) as long as development continues.