Your screen makes colour with light; a press makes colour with ink. That one difference explains why the bright teal on your monitor turns a little duller on paper.
Two different gamuts
RGB screens can show vivid, glowing colours that no combination of cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink can reproduce. Neon greens, electric blues and hot pinks are the usual casualties. When a file is converted to CMYK, those colours shift to the nearest printable equivalent.
How to avoid surprises
- Design in CMYK from the start so you see realistic colours while you work.
- For brand colours, specify CMYK values (or a Pantone reference) rather than hex codes.
- Avoid "rich black" for small text: use 100% K alone. Use rich black (60/40/40/100) only for large solid areas.
- Order a printed proof for colour-critical jobs. Screen proofs show layout, not ink.
When exact colour matters
Spot colours (Pantone) are mixed inks that print exactly the same every time, which is why brands with a signature colour use them on packaging and stationery. Ask us about spot colour on letterhead, folders and labels.