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Why Is My PDF Background Pink?

Published in PDF Color Issues 2 mins read

Your PDF background might appear pink because it's likely using the CMYK color format instead of RGB. Here's a more detailed explanation:

Why CMYK Can Cause Pink Displays

  • Color Modes: Digital displays use RGB (Red, Green, Blue) to create colors, while printing often uses CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black).
  • Compatibility Issues: When a PDF designed with CMYK color profiles is viewed on a screen (which uses RGB), the colors might not be interpreted correctly, leading to unexpected color distortions.
  • Pink Hue: Often, this misinterpretation shows up as a pink or purplish tint, especially when the document contains a lot of cyan (a color used in CMYK, not RGB), as this color may be improperly rendered on an RGB display.

How to Fix a Pink PDF Background

According to InVision support documentation, the solution is to:

  1. Re-export the PDF: Use your PDF editor or design software to re-export the PDF using the RGB color format.
  2. Replace the Old PDF: Upload the newly exported RGB version to replace the existing one.

Comparison Table: CMYK vs. RGB

Feature CMYK RGB
Use Case Primarily for printing Primarily for digital displays
Color Basis Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Red, Green, Blue
Display Result Might appear incorrect Displays correctly

By re-exporting your PDF to RGB, you'll ensure it displays correctly on screens and eliminate the pink background issue.

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