Converting PDFs with rgb images to cmyk for printer

[Thamesite]

Has anyone used any free programmes that will convert images to cmyk format.
I was going to change each image before placing it in word doc, but searching internet it says word will save as rgb format anyway,

If I get docs printed as they are the colours are dark and generally bland.
Thanks
Althea

[RJ_Paton]

Are you trying to convert image files or pdf files - they are quite different (heading refers to pdf documents and main post refers to images within word docs.)

Most of the top end image programs can convert images files for you -

Try Irfanview or the Gimp, they are the best of the free graphics programs

Irfanview - http://www.irfanview.com/
Gimp - https://www.gimp.org/

- if you are using a professional print firm I'm surprised they don't offer this service. If you are self printing it may take some experimentation to get the images to the preferred light & contrast levels.

[Thamesite]

Trying to get PDFs files to print in better colours. I have used rgb images as that's all word docs can handle. But then when printed by commercial printer they are terrible quality.
The printer say they convert the file but still looks bad.
Maybe I need to work in publisher?

[Ian999]

As Falkyrn says, there is some confusion here between PDFs and Word, never mind RGB and CMYK.

As a long time amateur photographer and serious printer of large photos, plus some lengthy experience in the Print Graphics Industry, I suggest you stay a long way away from CMYK as it will only confuse everything further.

It is true that every colour printer I am aware of actually is a CMYK machine, but they ALL expect RGB input and do the conversion internally. Commercial grade print houses may well transmit CMYK files to their printers but they know what they are doing. The normal user does not.

You need to tell us what the original medium/file type is and how you intend to print it. What is the final output type?? What is that you are trying to do?

[Thamesite]

Thanks for replies,
Place jpg photos in word docs, they are local history booklets.
Then save as PDFs for the printer.
Quality is so bad on proof I usually have to go back and ultra lighten each image.
The printer suggested I should have all my photos saved as cmyk format not rgb, I tried this but it didn't make any difference, just very time consuming!

[mike175]

Depending on the particular software you are using, there might/should be some options for setting image quality when you come to save the .pdf file. I have little experience of Word as I tend to use third party software generally.

Mike.

[Ian999]

While I have not had the problem you have encountered, the following may help:

http://wordtopdfimage.blogspot.ca/2012/02/preserve-image-quality-when-saving-from.html