Question
What color mode should my files be in for printing?
Answer
For anything headed to a commercial press, build and submit your files in CMYK color mode. Presses print with cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, so a CMYK file shows you the closest on-screen preview of the final result. Files supplied in RGB or Pantone spot colors get converted to CMYK before printing, and that conversion can shift some colors.
| Color mode | Best for | Print note |
|---|---|---|
| CMYK | Print-ready files | Submit in this mode for predictable results |
| RGB | Screens and web | Converted to CMYK, expect some color shift |
| Pantone / spot | Exact brand colors | Converted to CMYK unless true spot printing is used |
- Set your document to CMYK before you start designing when possible.
- If you must supply RGB, review a proof carefully so any shift is caught early.
- Remember that on-screen proofs are lower resolution than the file that actually prints.
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