My Artwork Looks Different When Printed!

Discover Why

When you create an artwork on a computer, tablet, or phone, it is usually in RGB color mode. But what does that mean?

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is a color system used for digital screens. Think of it as mixing colored lights to create different shades. On your phone screen, colors appear super vibrant because they are made of light, and you can adjust the brightness as you like. This system is perfect for social media posts, digital presentations, and websites.

However, when artwork is printed on physical material, like a uniform or a business card, a different system is used: CMYK.

What is CMYK?

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. Instead of light, it uses ink to create colors. Think of it like mixing paints in school: if you mix blue (cyan) with yellow, you get green. By adding other colors, we can create various shades. However, since ink reflects light instead of emitting it like a screen, colors may look a bit less vibrant than on your phone or computer.

Why Do Colors Look Different?

RGB creates colors using light, making them bright and vivid on screens. CMYK, on the other hand, prints colors using ink, which can result in slightly different shades. Additionally, the material where the artwork is printed also affects the final result. Fabric absorbs ink differently than glossy paper, for example.

Summary:

• RGB is for digital screens and uses light to create bright colors.

• CMYK is for physical printing and uses ink to form colors.

• Converting RGB to CMYK can slightly change the colors, making them less vibrant when printed.

  
  

If you want the most accurate printed result, always check the color conversion before finalizing your design!