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File inspector · Color & Ink Management

Raster CMYK Separation & TAC Preview

The browser converts RGB pixels with a simple mathematical CMYK model to create diagnostic channel previews and a user-set TAC heatmap. It is explicitly not ICC color conversion.

Reviewed 2026-08-182 referenced sourcesFree · no account
Approximate raster separation preview

See channel structure and high-coverage regions

This is deliberately a mathematical RGB→CMYK diagnostic, not an ICC conversion. It is useful for seeing where channel density exists before opening the original file in a profile-aware production workflow.

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Combine color findings with document geometry, fonts and production profile checks.

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Production-color boundary

Color numbers only become meaningful inside an output condition

PDF color-space and output-intent signals help diagnose a job, but browser-side token inspection does not replace a color-managed separation preview or printer-specific preflight.

Detected fact

Color-space, output-intent, spot/separation or overprint tokens that can be read from the file.

Production decision

Which profile, TAC limit, black build or conversion policy is correct for this output condition.

Final verification

Use the printer/prepress profile, proofing workflow and professional output preview where the job is color-critical.

What the result is useful for

The preview makes four-channel structure and high-coverage regions visible before a professional profile/output preview is run.

How the calculation works

For each RGB pixel, K = 1 − max(R,G,B); C/M/Y are normalized from the remaining channels. TAC = C+M+Y+K.

What this calculator cannot know

RGB-to-CMYK conversion is profile-dependent. This mathematical preview cannot predict press separations, black generation, gamut mapping or actual ink limits.

Sources and current specifications

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