Will my printed job look exactly like it does on my computer monitor?

Your printed job will look close to your monitor, but not identical, because screens and presses create color using different systems.

• Monitors: display color with RGB (red, green, blue) light.
• Presses: print full color with CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) inks.
• The result: bright, backlit screen colors can look a little different once printed with ink on paper.
• Get closer: design and proof in CMYK, and use a hard copy proof when exact color is critical.

• Screens vary: brightness and calibration differ from device to device, so calibrate your monitor to make the preview more trustworthy.
• Soft proof: use the soft proofing view in your design software to preview the CMYK result before you order.
• Watch bright colors: vivid blues, greens, oranges and neons shift the most and often print a little more muted.
• Exact brand color: Pantone spot colors are the route when a brand color must match closely.
• Paper matters: the same ink looks brighter on coated gloss stock than on matte or uncoated paper.