colors: screen vs printed outcome

[ANIllustrations]

I recently started to design printables. But when I print them out, they look a little different than on my screen.

How do you make sure that the colors displayed on the display will have the highest ressemblance to the printed output?

Thank you!
- Annika

[Former_Member]

Choose CMYK colors when you are designing your printables. RGB is light based so it is always different on someone elses screen compared to yours. CMYK is pigment based and is always the same and what you see on the screen is what will be printed out.

[PaperbyCharmCat]

I'd recommend still designing in RGB, but convert your color profile as one of your last steps.

There's nothing you can do for some colors. They are always going to look different, but you can learn how they are and adjust. For instance, you just can't print neon in CMYK. The print gamut doesn't include hyper saturated colors. Most colors will look duller. Blacks won't look quite as rich.

You just have to print to see the true colors as you go. It can also help to get a pantone color book, so you can color match easier.

Good luck!

[CuteMuseArtPrints]

Annika, the best way for me is printing in different profiles. The print is in CMYK, so it is important that your document is CMYK.

Also, when you about to print, take a second to analyze with which profile you're going to print. They are in the 'Print Window > Color Management.... you will see some options:

1. Color Handling: I always choose "Let Illustrator determine color."
2. Printer Profile: try different to see which one works better for you.
(This is for Adobe Illustrator)

I am hoping this tips can help you.

Warmly,

Jazmin.

[Former_Member]

Converting the color profile in the last step can dramatically change the look of your design. I find it better to use CMYK throughout the entire process so you do not encounter any changes in the end. That would cause you to search for a new color and render the work you already did potentially pointless, in my opinion.

However, this is all up to you in the end. Whatever works best for you is what you should do. All we can do is offer some helpful tips and tricks.