RGB vs CMYK. How to produce a more consistent color scheme for your printouts?

What you see on your RGB monitor isn't the same as your printout? How come my screen looks so much brighter than my printouts? If then, how to produce a consistent or the color that I want?

It boils down generally to initial preparation, understanding RGB-CMYK and color management.

Initial Preparation

Getting the right setup is the first step. Let go thru the checklist:

1) Working with a low color gamut monitor or using overpowered 4K display monitors.
2) Calibration between your monitor and  the printing devices or print server like the EFI Fiery.
3) Using the right color profiles
4) Have comprehend the spectrum of your printer color output.
5) Using the wrong profile or RGB setting on your working files.
6) Doing actual physical print proofs.

Understand the RGB-to-CMYK

You will get a more "color feel" of the appearance of your printed piece if you convert or work your files from RGB to CMYK. Difference software, printserver or printers might have different profile and might do the auto-conversion to CMYK for printing differently that what you are expecting.By the way, don't even think of printing certain pantone color (spot color) such as metallic or colors that a regular 4 color - CMYK printer not able to produce. Different printers have their own color spectrum and technology. Take note that RGB color might be viewable on your screen and doesn't mean it is able to be reproduce. 

Here's a common example: many programs translate the 100% Blue in RGB into a somewhat purple-looking color in CMYK. We recommend a CMYK value of 100-65-0-0 to get a nice clean blue. Working in the CMYK color space allows you to select the CMYK recipe, or "screen build", that gives you the results you want.

Here are some examples of how various RGB colors convert to CMYK:

rgb colors
(what you see on screen)


rgb colors
(what you see on screen)

cmyk colors
(printing inks will do this)


cmyk colors
(printing inks will do this)

Visible
Color Gamut

RGB
Color Gamut

Pantone (PMS)
Color Gamut

CMYK
Color Gamut

Color Management and Reproduction

For more details of color management and reproduction, you can always refer to your professional commercial printers. Accept the fact that the digital space and physical (the hardcopy or output) is not going to be the same. Similar is what we are aiming for. 

Did you know that  that two individuals can look at the same object and have the same wavelengths hit their eyes, yet “see" different colors? 

There are multiple devices involved in image production, and not just from the digital world. Knowing the available printing methodology, machine technology, theirs strengths, their limitations and most of all the production-cost-vs-time .

Printing production is both ART and SCIENCE. Of course, hell lot of experience in trial and errors. Not all pixels are created equal. Not all media are always the same and not everyday your supplies are 100% same as what you have bought last round. Humidity and temperature also plays a part besides the actual handler. 

It’s important to remember that any printing process or technology has its limitations. No matter how industrial or state of the art of the machinery, it still faces its limitations and constraints. For the past 20 years, the printing technology has evolved a lot but it still boils down to the printing fundamental since 2000 years ago.