The most common print complaint is colour: "it looked different on my screen." The cause is almost always a colour-mode mismatch. Here is the short version.
RGB is for screens
Monitors emit red, green and blue light. Additive mixing gives vivid, bright colours — great on phones and websites, impossible to reproduce in ink.
CMYK is for print
Printers mix four inks — Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK. Subtractive mixing is narrower than RGB, so some on-screen neon colours simply cannot be printed.
When to use spot colours
For strict brand accuracy (think logos), professional print uses spot colour systems such as Pantone. This guarantees the same orange on your box, your card and your banner.
- Design in RGB, but convert to CMYK before sending for print.
- Request a physical proof or swatch for brand-critical colours.
- Use Adobe Colour to preview your palette in both modes.
Our team checks colour modes on every job — send us your file and we will flag issues before press. Pair this knowledge with our paper selection guide for consistently premium results.
Keep exploring
- Complete Brand Identity Kit — logo, colours and stationery, ready to launch.
- Browse all products — business cards, packaging, stickers and signage.
- Brand services — design support, logo work and full brand builds.
- Colour reference: Pantone · Adobe Colour · Google Fonts
Get a custom packaging quote designed and printed by our in-house team.