Convert PDF Colors API, Apply CMYK, RGB, Grayscale, Black & White,or Custom ICC Profile

Convert PDF Colors is a REST API tool offering precise document color control through custom ICC profiles and a library of print, screen, web, and grayscale presets.

Convert PDF from RGB to CMYK to achieve consistent color output for print, ensuring accurate colors across substrates.
Convert PDF from CMYK to RGB to optimize colors for web display, ensuring accurate representation across screens.
Convert color PDF to black and white to prepare for printing on B&W printers and to reduce file size for document archival.
Achieve accurate color reproduction through custom ICC profiles and pre-defined color spaces.
Maintain color fidelity for digital publications, such as eBooks and online magazines or newsletters.

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Request

POST

Headers

Api-Key

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Response-Type

Poll for the status of a request by ID. Request IDs can be found in the JSON response of POST requests sent to any pdfRest endpoint.

Required Parameters

file

File to be uploaded and processed

Alphanumeric ID (UUID) of existing file on server to be processed

color_profile

Choose from any of the preset color profiles, or select custom to supply an ICC color profile

Optional Parameters

output

Name of the generated output file, without extension.

Code

curl -X POST "https://api.pdfrest.com/pdf-with-converted-colors" \ 
  -H "Accept: application/json" \ 
  -H "Content-Type: multipart/form-data" \
  -H "Api-Key: xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx" \

Response

The response for your API Call will display here.

Once you've sent your POST request and received a valid response, you can download your output file using the output URL.

Build Your Solution

You have document processing problems, we have Solutions. Explore the many ways pdfRest can align your documents with your business objectives.

Browse all solutions

Automate PDF Prepress for Direct Mailing Jobs

Convert RGB PDF to CMYK for Professional Print Jobs

Convert PDF Files from RGB to CMYK for Print

Streamline Document Color Management for Consistent Printing

Integrate pdfRest with Microsoft Power Automate

Convert Color PDF to Black and White for Print

Converting PDF Files to Grayscale

Why is pdfRest the best API to convert PDF Colors?

pdfRest offers the best solution for converting PDF colors, because it offers unmatched control, flexible color space transformations, and efficient preset profiles.

Choose from Preset Color Profiles for CMYK, RGB, Grayscale, B&W

Streamline your workflows and achieve consistent color conversion with our library of 14 convenient, preset color profiles.

Whether you need to optimize for high-quality print production (profiles like acrobat5-cmyk, acrobat9-cmyk), vibrant screen viewing (srgb, monitor-rgb), web publishing (color-match-rgb), or specific grayscale needs (gamma-18, gamma-22, dot-gain-10 to dot-gain-30), we have the perfect profile for your needs.

Simply select the desired option, and pdfRest handles the conversion, saving you valuable time and ensuring consistent results.

Apply Your Own ICC Profile for Custom Color Control

Go far beyond basic RGB, CMYK, or grayscale conversion and achieve precise control over your document's color profile. With pdfRest Convert PDF Colors, you are not limited to pre-defined options.

Upload your own custom ICC profile to ensure perfect color matching for specific printing presses, design software, or brand guidelines. This meticulous level of control allows you to tailor your document's appearance to any unique color requirement.

Transform Colors from Any Source: RGB, CMYK, LAB

pdfRest Convert PDF Colors eliminates the need to worry about your document's original color space. Whether your PDF starts in RGB, CMYK, LAB, or any other format, our API Tool will reliably convert it to your desired color output.

This flexibility saves you time and ensures consistent color output regardless of the source file. Leave your compatibility issues behind with your new one-stop shop for all PDF color conversions.

Check out other videos

Start from Code Examples

See more code examples in our GitHub repository

Need more help?

Start with a Tutorial for step-by-step guidance

How to Convert PDF Colors in .NET with C#

How to Convert PDF Colors with cURL

How to Convert PDF Colors with Java

How to Convert PDF Colors with JavaScript in NodeJS

How to Convert PDF Colors with PHP

How to Convert PDF Colors with Python

How to Convert PDF Files from Color to Black and White (Grayscale) in .NET with C#

How to Convert PDF Files from Color to Black and White (Grayscale) with cURL

18 items

Customize Your Solution

Learn about the parameters for this tool to create your custom solution.

File

The file parameter allows you to select a local PDF input file to be uploaded to pdfRest’s processing server for color conversion.

See Documentation

The id parameter allows you to submit a resource ID generated by one of our API Tools. Each API Tool assigns a unique resource ID to your output files, allowing you to chain requests together without having to download intermediate files between requests.

For example, you can use Upload Files to first upload your PDF document and then include the resource ID in a call to Convert PDF Colors.

See Documentation

Color Profile

Choose from any of the preset color profiles, or select "custom" to supply an ICC color profile:

lab-d50 - Lab color specification with a D50 white point. The Lab color space is based on the CIE XYZ color space, but it includes a dimension L, for lightness, along with a and b coordinates, to define the color. This is Adobe Systems’ standard Lab profile.
srgb - Standard RGB, the default profile for Windows monitors.
apple-rgb - Apple RGB, the default profile for Mac monitors
color-match-rgb - Color Match RGB. This is a simpler version of the Radius ColorMatch RGB space, without the non-zero black point.
gamma-18 - Gray Gamma 1.8, grayscale display profile, used for content viewed on a monitor
gamma-22 - Gray Gamma 2.2
dot-gain-10 - Grayscale printer profile, with dot gain 10%. Dot gain is commonly used in offset printing to define the increase in size in halftone dots in the printing process, making a printed document look darker than intended.
dot-gain-15 - Dot gain 15%
dot-gain-20 - Dot gain 20%
dot-gain-25 - Dot gain 25%
dot-gain-30 - Dot gain 30%
monitor-rgb - RGB Monitor, referring to a monitor that requires separate signals for the three primary colors.
acrobat5-cmyk - Adobe Reader 5 CMYK
acrobat9-cmyk - Adobe Reader 9 CMYK
custom - supply a custom ICC color profile with either the profile or profile_id parameter

See Documentation

Profile

If color_profile is set to custom then a custom ICC color profile must be supplied with either the profile or profile_id paramater.

The profile parameter allows you to select a local ICC color profile document to be uploaded to pdfRest’s processing server.

See Documentation

Profile Id

If color_profile is set to custom then a custom ICC color profile must be supplied with either the profile or profile_id paramater.

The profile_id parameter allows you to submit a resource ID for a file that already exists on the processing server.

For example, you can use Upload Files to first upload your ICC color profile document and then include the resource ID in a call to Convert PDF Colors.

See Documentation