Why do my printed colors look different from my screen?

It comes down to how screens and printers make color. Screens mix red, green, and blue light (RGB), while presses mix cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink (CMYK). The two systems cover different ranges, so some bright screen colors simply cannot be reproduced in ink.

• Convert to CMYK before exporting so you see color closer to what will actually print.
• Use soft proofing in your design software to preview the CMYK result before you order.
• Watch bright blues, greens, and oranges, which often shift the most from screen to paper and print a little more muted.
• Use Pantone spot colors when you need exact brand color matching.
• Calibrate your monitor so your on-screen preview is more trustworthy, since an uncalibrated screen widens the gap.

Designing in CMYK from the start is the simplest way to avoid surprises when the job comes off the press.