Should i use cmyk for printing

RGB-mixed colors tend to be lighter, which is ideal for projection on a dark screen, but in print, RGB-derived colors show up much differently. RGB is an additive process, and layering inks to a piece of paper in order to reproduce a color means that producing lighter colors is all but impossible. But the subtractive nature of CMYK means that color reproduction is a result of using less ink, not more.

This makes CMYK the best way to reproduce colors accurately each and every time. A good print house knows this. For general purposes, the first two options are fine, but you may want to check with your printer beforehand to be sure of what they need. To change the color mode of your Illustrator file, select all objects in your document.

You can change the color mode of your InDesign document in the export process. In the Export Adobe PDF popup box, select Output on the left side and use the Destination dropdown menu in the Color section to choose your desired color mode.

Knowing how the colors interact to define a pigment can give you greater control over how the final color looks, and therefore greater control over your final design.

This article was originally written by Peter Vukovic and published in It has been updated with new examples and information. Our newsletter is for everyone who loves design! Let us know if you're a freelance designer or not so we can share the most relevant content for you. By completing this form, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Designers, check out these contests so you can start building your career. Get a design. What is RGB? RGB and additive mixing A light source within a device creates any color you need by mixing red, green and blue and varying their intensity.

When to use RGB? What is CMYK? When to use CMYK? Not necessarily. We respect your privacy. We won't share your information with anyone. ContactUs pfl. Subscribe to Updates. All Rights Reserved. If you use Photoshop, Illustrator, or an older version of Publisher follow the instructions on this video. You can also check out this article on converting your files to CMYK. Arthur Piccio is a feature writer and subject matter expert for the PrintPlace Blog. In his spare time he studies guitar and writes about goats.

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