To ensure the document you're submitting for print has met all minimum guidelines, we recommend using our recommended file formats. Our recommendation will ensure the files are set up correctly for print. This will avoid any delays in the design/printing process. Our certified print templates include required bleed lines, resolution, and color mode.
The Difference Between RGB & CMYK
The most common mistake with customer-submitted artwork is the color mode being set to RGB instead of CMYK. Although changing the color mode may seem like a quick fix, you might see unintentional color changes. It's important to start designing in the CMYK color mode to avoid future surprises. The RGB (monitor color) gamut contains many more colors than CMYK (print
RGB (red, green & blue) is an additive color system where light is used to mix colors; the more light you add, the brighter and more vibrant the color gets. When working on digital designs, you'll often be working in RGB mode because that's how your monitor works, but the problem arises when we're creating a design for print using an RGB-based tool.
CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow & black (key)) is a subtractive color system where inks are mixed to create various hues, much like mixing paint as a traditional artist. The more ink you combine, the darker the color gets. The spectrum of colors that can be produced by light is much wider than the range achievable by ink, so our design applications have a special CMYK mode to limit the "gamut" of the colors we have available when creating a design will ultimately be printed.
Here is a FREE CMYK Color Cheat Sheet available. You can add this free sample to your cart to use for your future artwork.
