Convert process to spot colour

[John_...@adobeforums.com]

I had an illustrator design part of a logo and he assigned process colours to it -- the client really likes what they see. Problem is, of course we need to run this as a spot colour job. So the process colours need to be converted to spot.

What is the best method for finding the closest spot colour match to a process colour?

I realize that there will be many process colours that don't have an exact spot colour representation, and that other factors such as ICC profiles / input and output environments will affect the selection of spot colours. I just want to know, in general, if just a visual search through the pantone libraries is really the best way to get the closest match.

[Doug...@adobeforums.com]

I get the CMYK build numbers in AI, then open Photoshop (a blank CMYK document), go to the Color Picker, enter those numbers, then click Color Libraries. The closest Pantone swatch is highlighted. I note that swatch number, go back to the Illustrator document, load the swatch from Illustrator's libraries, then Merge the process color with this new Pantone swatch. Works 95% of the time for me (every once in a while I'll have to adjust by searching the Pantone book).

[John_...@adobeforums.com]

If you do not have Photoshop, you could print ( on a reliable proofer ) a 3" square swatch on paper similar to what you plan to ultimately end up printing on ( i.e., glossy, uncoated, semi-glossy, etc. ). Then take a new Pantone Bridge swatch book and, under good lighting, match up a swatch to your print. Try not to rely on what you see on screen for critical color judgements.

[Wade_Zi...@adobeforums.com]

You can do this in Illustrator.

Make the color a swatch so you have it saved.

Then click on the color picker icon on the tool bar. Note the cmyk readings and click on the swatch button in the color picker window and you will be taken to swatches that best match the color you will e able to make a visual comparison then when you find he one closer and click OK you can the go pack to the color picker or the swatch options to see how close you are to the original color. You'll be pretty close.