> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.filecheck.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Colors

> Color checks in a PDF preflight profile — color mode, ink coverage, spot colors, ICC/output intent, rich black, and overprint.

The **Colors** section governs how color is described in the PDF — the single biggest factor in whether print output matches what the customer saw on screen. Each check lists its **action**, **settings**, and the messages the customer sees. See the [profile overview](/configuration/preflight) for how actions work.

## Document Color Mode

Which color modes are allowed in the document (e.g. CMYK, Grayscale). During auto-fix, "Convert all" converts any color space — including images and text — to an allowed one.

| Field        | Detail                                                                                                                             |
| :----------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Action**   | Auto-fix                                                                                                                           |
| **Settings** | Allowed (CMYK / Grayscale / RGB / Lab), Convert all, Preserve during auto-fix (ICC, DeviceN, NChannel, Separation, Separation All) |
| **Issue**    | Your file contains `{actual.found}` colors, but we require files to be in `{target.allowed}` color mode only.                      |
| **Fix**      | Convert your document to `{target.allowed}` and re-upload.                                                                         |
| **Auto-fix** | We'll convert your colors to `{target.allowed}` automatically before printing.                                                     |

## Maximum Ink Coverage

The total ink coverage (TAC) limit, to prevent smearing or slow drying on press.

| Field        | Detail                                                                                                                               |
| :----------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Action**   | Warn                                                                                                                                 |
| **Settings** | Maximum (%, default 300)                                                                                                             |
| **Issue**    | Some areas use too much ink (`{actual.percent}`%), which can smear or dry slowly. The limit for this product is `{target.percent}`%. |
| **Fix**      | Reduce the density of your darkest areas and re-export.                                                                              |

## Spot Colors

Whether spot (named) colors like Pantone are allowed, and how many.

| Field        | Detail                                                                                                                              |
| :----------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Action**   | Warn                                                                                                                                |
| **Settings** | Max count, Whitelist (e.g. `PANTONE 186 C`)                                                                                         |
| **Issue**    | Your file uses `{actual.count}` spot colors (`{actual.names}`), but this product requires `{target.max_count}` spot colors maximum. |
| **Fix**      | Convert the excess spot colors to CMYK and re-upload.                                                                               |

## Output Intent

Require an embedded output intent (color profile) that defines how the file's colors should print.

| Field        | Detail                                                                                     |
| :----------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Action**   | Warn (can auto-fix)                                                                        |
| **Settings** | Expected ICC profile                                                                       |
| **Issue**    | Your file is missing a color profile that tells us how to reproduce its colors accurately. |
| **Fix**      | Re-export with an embedded output intent (color profile) and upload again.                 |
| **Auto-fix** | We'll add the expected color profile automatically before printing.                        |

## ICC Color Profile

Control which embedded color profiles are accepted.

| Field        | Detail                                                                      |
| :----------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Action**   | Warn (can auto-fix)                                                         |
| **Settings** | Whitelist (profile names)                                                   |
| **Issue**    | Your file uses a color profile we don't support.                            |
| **Fix**      | Re-export using a standard print color profile and upload again.            |
| **Auto-fix** | We'll convert it to a standard print profile automatically before printing. |

## Rich Black

Detect black text or elements built from all four inks instead of pure black (K), which can look blurry on press.

| Field        | Detail                                                                                                         |
| :----------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Action**   | Auto-fix                                                                                                       |
| **Settings** | Scope (Text only / All elements)                                                                               |
| **Issue**    | Some black text is built from all four inks, which can look blurry on press. It should be 100% black (K) only. |
| **Fix**      | Set the affected black to 100% K only and re-export.                                                           |
| **Auto-fix** | We'll set the affected black to pure K automatically before printing.                                          |

## Overprint Settings

Detect overprint flags that may cause elements to disappear on press.

| Field        | Detail                                                                                   |
| :----------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Action**   | Warn                                                                                     |
| **Settings** | Reject overprint on white (toggle)                                                       |
| **Issue**    | Your file has overprint settings that may cause some elements to disappear when printed. |
| **Fix**      | Check the overprint settings in your design app and re-export.                           |