Check a brochure before printing.

See which inks make up the page.

Before handing over a brochure, inspect its black text, colour images and named spot inks. Turning plates on and off helps you understand what each ink contributes to the artwork.

Use it for your next document.

Inspect black text and colour artwork

View the process-colour plates to see which parts of the page use cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

Check a logo’s spot ink

Look for supported named spot colours in the Separations palette and view the relevant plate on its own.

Prepare the printer’s copy

Review the pages and choose export or print settings that match your printer’s specifications. Check the resulting PDF before delivery.

Try it with your own PDF.

1. Open the print PDF
   Open the brochure or artwork and show the Separations palette.
2. Check each ink
   View individual plates and inspect the text, images and logo.
3. Prepare the handoff
   Use the printer’s requested output settings and review the final file.

Read the step-by-step guide →

Questions about this task.

Can I inspect named spot colours?

Yes. The Separations palette lists the printing plates detected in the document, including supported named spot inks and their tints.

Does the preview guarantee the final print?

No. It is a tool for checking the PDF. Paper, ink, printer settings and colour management affect the output; use the print provider’s specifications and proofing process.

Prepare the next step.

Inspect the inks in a flyer, brochure or business card before sending it to the printer.

• Correct a PDF — Correct a name on an invoice, update a price in a brochure or replace an outdated logo.
• Use PDFs in Word & slides — Continue a draft in Word or turn a PDF page into an image for a presentation.
• Make files smaller — Shrink a scanned application or brochure to suit an email attachment or upload limit.