How do I make sure my brand colors print accurately?

Consistent brand color starts in your design files and ends with a printed proof. Screens glow in RGB light while presses mix CMYK inks that reflect light, so a file set up for the screen shifts when printed unless you plan for it.

• Design in CMYK from the start, the standard for commercial printing. Converting RGB late always moves your colors.
• Avoid neon and electric colors outside the CMYK gamut; bright blues and greens print duller than they look on screen.
• Use high-resolution files at 300 DPI minimum so colors render cleanly.
• Note your CMYK build values for brand colors, and use Pantone spot colors when an exact match is non-negotiable, especially on larger runs.
• Check a digital preview for layout, but remember a screen never matches paper exactly.
• Request a hard-copy proof or sample on your first order with a new provider or before a large run, so you judge color on that stock in person.
• Keep the approved proof as your reference so future orders match the same standard.

A calibrated monitor helps, but a physical proof is the only way to truly confirm how a color lands on paper.