My question is related to this one:
What's the point of converting RGB images to CMYK TIF/TIFF before placing them in InDesign?
I am preparing some artwork in Illustrator, which contains some bitmaps created in Photoshop.
The printer has asked for PDF format, 300dpi CMYK with 'no embedded colour profile'.
I am unsure of the best workflow. I had assumed I should convert my bitmaps from RGB -> CMYK in Photoshop and save as TIFF, then place that in Illustrator. But when changing colour mode Photoshop asks which colour profile to use and I believe that profile is then embedded in the TIFF.
Reading the answers to question linked above it sounds like I would be best to instead leave my bitmap artwork as RGB, place it in Illustrator and just export the PDF... then at point of printing (i.e not by me) the conversion from RGB->CMYK using most appropriate profile would be done.
From what I have read there is also the possibility to place RGB artwork in Illustrator but export the PDF as CMYK, but presumably this means using a particular colour profile... which would then be embedded in the PDF?
It is hard to reconcile with what the printer has asked for, possibly I am misunderstanding.
Either way I should obviously attempt to preview my RGB bitmaps as CMYK beforehand of course.