InDesign

Display or output spot colors using Lab values

Some predefined spot colors, such as colors from the TOYO, PANTONE, DIC, and HKS libraries, are defined using Lab values. For backward compatibility with previous versions of InDesign, colors from these libraries also include CMYK definitions. Lab values, when used in conjunction with the correct device profiles, give you the most accurate output across all devices. If color management is critical to your project, you might prefer to display, export, and print spot colors using their Lab values. The Ink Manager option Use Standard Lab Values For Spots lets you control which color mode InDesign uses for these predefined spot colors: Lab or CMYK. If you need the output to match earlier versions of InDesign, you should use the CMYK equivalent values.

Note: To improve on‑screen accuracy, InDesign uses the Lab values automatically if Overprint Preview is on. It also uses Lab values when printing or exporting if you’ve selected Simulate Overprint in the Output area of either the Print or Export Adobe PDF dialog box.
  1. Choose Ink Manager in the Separations Preview panel menu.
  2. Do one of the following:

    • For Lab values, select Use Standard Lab Values For Spots.

    • For CMYK values, deselect Use Standard Lab Values For Spots.