About RGB-CMYK
- Scanners, digital cameras and computer monitors use red, green and blue (RGB) light to display color.
- Presses print with cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) ink instead of RGB light, and therefore produce a different range of color.
- To print on a four-color press, all RGB files must be converted into CMYK.
RGB lights combine to make white |
CMYK inks combine to create black |
- Certain RGB colors that you can see on your monitor or camera (in particular, bright vibrant colors) simply cannot be replicated with standard CMYK inks. These unachievable RGB colors are said to be "out of the CMYK color gamut." When selecting colors for your print project, we recommend using CMYK color builds to avoid potential RGB conversion issues.
- You are more likely to notice color shifts when you use a solid, bright color as a background or fill.
- A highly useful tool for selecting reproducible CMYK colors is the Pantone Process Color Guide. This swatch guide displays over 3,000 colors with corresponding color builds, and is available on both coated and uncoated stock. Strongly recommended if you will be doing repeat printing projects, or have color concerns.
- We can print with PMS colors if you have a custom printing project. Contact us for a custom quote.
You can improve the color accuracy of your monitor through a process called calibration. If you have critical color concerns, consider consulting a Pantone Process Color Guide or a hard copy proof. Be aware that:
- Monitor types vary in how well they can display color and graphics. Generally, CRT monitors have the best color and resolution; flat & LCD monitors have poorer color quality and limited resolution.
- Individual monitor settings such as brightness, contrast, frequency, temperature, etc. will also affect your color accuracy.
- What all this boils down to is that images on your monitor will always look somewhat different than the final printed piece.
RGB - CMYK Conversion
To be able to print on a four-color press, all RGB files must be translated into CMYK. This conversion can be easily done in most image editing programs. You will have more control over the appearance of your printed piece if you do the color conversion yourself, but we are happy to convert your images from RGB to CMYK, at no charge.
If at any time you need further help, please call us at (225) 687-9711 for assistance.
| How to Convert from RGB to CMYK in Many Common Programs |
| Adobe Illustrator 10, CS, CS2, CS3 |
- Select File/Document color mode/CMYK color
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| Adobe InDesign CS, CS2, CS3 |
- Select Window/Swatches & Window/Color
- Double-click Color in Swatches
- Change color mode to CMYK & color type to Process
- Any colors created in the document that are not in the Swatches palette need to be changed to the CMYK color space
- Select each object you want to convert and make sure the Color palette reflects the CMYK percentages
- Click top right arrow in the palette to change to CMYK if necessary
- Send us your layout and linked images
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| Adobe Pagemaker 6.5 |
- Select Window/Show Colors
- Double-click Colors in palette
- Select Model to be CMYK & Type to be Process
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| Adobe Photoshop |
Existing file:
New file:
- Select CMYK for the mode before clicking OK
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| CorelDraw 9 |
- Select each object you want to convert
- Select the Fill tool and click Fill Color Dialog
- Make sure the color model is CMYK
- For each object with an outline:
- Select the Outline tool and click the Outline Color Dialog
- Make sure the color model is CMYK.
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| Microsoft Publisher 2003 |
- Select Tools/Commercial Printing Tools/ Color Printing
- Select Process Colors (CMYK)
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| QuarkXpress 4.1 |
- Select Edit/Edit Colors/Show Colors in Use/Highlight Color; click Edit
- Change model to CMYK; deselect Spot color
- Send us your layout and linked images
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Adobe PhotoDeluxe
Adobe Photoshop LE
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PhotoDraw
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Works
Picture It Publishing
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These programs do not have the capability to convert to CMYK.
We are happy to do the conversion for you free of charge!
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