#  `dump_colorspaces`

Report color spaces used
## Usage
> pdftl `<input>` `dump_colorspaces` `[pages]` `[full]` `[<page_spec>...]` `[output` `<output>]`

## Details
The `dump_colorspaces` operation inspects all color spaces used in a PDF
document — across raster images, vector paths, and text — and reports them
as structured JSON.

It walks every page's content stream (recursing into Form XObjects), tracks
the graphics state stack, and collects every color-setting operator. ICC
profiles are reported with both their tag and resolved family. Separation
and DeviceN spot colors are reported with their colorant names and alternate
color space.

**Output levels** (controlled by optional keywords):

* *(default)* — `summary` only: the set of all color space families seen
  across the whole document, plus any ICC profiles encountered.
* `pages` — adds a per-page summary (families seen on each page).
* `full` — adds per-page element-level detail: images, strokes, fills,
  patterns, and shadings broken out individually. This level includes rich
  traceability, reporting the inline `operator` used, the named `resource_id`,
  and the exact `pdf_object_id` to pinpoint rogue color spaces.

**Color space families reported** (in the `"family"` field):

| PDF color space | Reported family |
|---|---|
| /DeviceGray | `gray` |
| /DeviceRGB, /CalRGB | `rgb` |
| /DeviceCMYK, /CalGray (4-component) | `cmyk` |
| /Lab | `lab` |
| /ICCBased | `icc` (+ `family` from profile) |
| /Separation, /DeviceN | `spot` |
| /Indexed | resolved to base |
| /Pattern | `pattern` |
## Examples

> Report color spaces used in in.pdf (summary only)
```
pdftl in.pdf dump_colorspaces
```

> Report color spaces per page
```
pdftl in.pdf dump_colorspaces pages
```

> Full element-level color space report saved to cs.json
```
pdftl in.pdf dump_colorspaces full output cs.json
```

> Report color spaces for pages 1, 3, 4, and 5 (summary)
```
pdftl in.pdf dump_colorspaces 1 3-5
```


**Tags**: info, metadata, color, prepress

*Source: pdftl.operations.dump_colorspaces*

*Read online: [https://pdftl.readthedocs.io/en/latest/operations/dump_colorspaces.html](https://pdftl.readthedocs.io/en/latest/operations/dump_colorspaces.html)*

*Type: Operation*