Why do my printed colors look different from what I designed or from a previous order?

Printed color can look different from what you see on screen or from an earlier batch, and it usually comes down to how color is created in each place. Screens emit light in RGB, while presses lay down ink in CMYK, and the two do not reproduce every shade the same way. Bright blues, vivid greens, and neon tones are the most common to shift.

• Design and export in CMYK rather than RGB so what you see is closer to what prints.
• Calibrate your monitor, since an uncalibrated screen can make colors look brighter or cooler than reality.
• Use the correct ICC or color profile for the paper and press when you build the file.
• Specify exact color builds for brand colors instead of relying on the screen preview.
• Expect slight run-to-run variation on reprints, as paper batch and press conditions change over time.

If matching a specific color is critical, request a printed proof before committing to a full run so you can confirm the result on the actual stock.