CMYK vs RGB
RGB is for screens. CMYK is for print. Simple as that. Ever noticed your printed colours don’t quite match what you saw on screen? You’re not alone. One of the most common questions we get is about colour differences between digital designs and final print. It all comes down to how colours
are created - light on screens versus ink on paper. But don’t worry, you don’t need a design degree to get it right. Here’s a quick guide to help you avoid any colourful surprises and make sure your print looks just as good in real life as it does on your monitor.
Why It Matters
Screens use light to display colour (Red, Green, Blue). Print uses ink (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). Light can make colours glow. Ink... not so much. That’s why your neon green or electric blue might not print as expected.
Spot the Difference
Have you ever printed a design and thought, “That’s not what it looked like on my laptop”? That’s likely RGB at play. Colours like bright turquoise or hot pink often don’t translate well to CMYK—they fall outside the printable range.
Convert Before You Print
Always convert your artwork to CMYK before sending it to print. That way, you’ll see any changes in colour on your end, not when the finished product lands on your desk.
Quick Tip for Designers
Using Adobe software? Set your document colour mode to CMYK from the start. It’ll save you time and surprise later on.
Need Help? Just Ask
We’re always happy to check your files before printing. It’s all part of making sure your colours look as good on paper as they do in your head.