Why Your Print Looks Different from Your Screen: RGB vs CMYK
Why colours on your screen look different on paper, and what you can do about it.
From the team at The Printing Shop.
If you have ever printed something and thought the blue looked duller than it did on screen, you have met the difference between RGB and CMYK. It is not a fault with your printer or your screen. It is the way that light and ink work.
RGB: colour made of light
RGB stands for red, green and blue. Screens create colour by mixing light from these three sources, and adding more light makes things brighter. That allows very vivid, glowing colours. Phones, computers, cameras and websites all use RGB.
CMYK: colour made of ink
CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black). Printers lay down tiny dots of these inks on paper, and the paper reflects the light back. Each extra layer of ink absorbs more light, which gives print a smaller range of colours than a screen. Neon greens, electric blues and bright purples are the colours most likely to shift.
What it means for your job
| Colour on screen | What tends to happen in print |
|---|---|
| Electric blue | Slightly more purple or duller |
| Neon green | Noticeably less bright |
| Bright orange | Usually close, but less glowing |
| Pale pastels | Can look lighter or lose detail |
| Dark navy or dark grey | May look close to black |
Paper also makes a difference. Uncoated paper absorbs more ink, which softens colours and makes them look a little less vivid than on a gloss or silk paper.
How to convert your file
- Adobe software: set the document colour mode to CMYK, then check the appearance before you export.
- Canva: choose "PDF Print" and pick CMYK, where available on your plan.
- Word, PowerPoint or phone apps: these usually work in RGB. Send the file anyway, and we will convert it as part of our check.
When a colour really matters
If you have a company colour that must be consistent, here are some ways of getting close:
- Use the CMYK values from your brand guide, rather than picking by eye.
- Ask for a printed sample. It is the only accurate check, as every screen shows colour differently.
- Bring something to match against, such as an old leaflet or a business card.
- Stick to the same paper, as colour varies by stock.
- Consider a spot colour, such as Pantone, for very precise jobs. It is usually a specialist option, so please ask.
Colours on vinyl, fabric and T-shirts will also differ from those on paper, so matching across materials is never perfect.
Other things that change how colour looks
Lighting has a big effect, and even the same print may look different in daylight and under shop lights. Lamination can deepen colours slightly. Screen brightness is another factor: phones are usually set brighter than print can look, which is why photos can seem darker on paper than expected. If you are printing photos, consider brightening them a little.
In short
Do not worry too much for everyday print: most jobs look great. If you have a colour-critical job, tell us early so we can arrange a sample before the full run.