Color Quality Excellence

Q.

What is CMYK mode?

A.

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (actually, the K stands for "key"...which is black). The process involves combining varying amounts of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink to produce a full spectrum of color.

All designs that will be printed should be created and sent in the CMYK format with the exception of pantone colors in your brand. . If you have certain parts of your file, like a logo that have a Pantone color please supply them as pantones as this will afford us the best print quality and color match.  

If something is designed for digital use for something like social media posts and your website, this will be designed in RGB.  The two should not be confused, or swapped for any reason.  

Q.

Does the color mode matter?

A.

Yes, the color mode does matter because everything is printed in CMYK colors. If your files are in RGB mode, they will need to be converted to CMYK. Converting colors is a tricky business because although they both produce colors, RGB and CMYK are as different as apples and orangutans!

There are many formulas for converting RGB colors to CMYK colors, and they all produce results that are very, very close...but not spot-on. If color accuracy is vital to your project, it is best to consult with us early in the process to plan for the best color conversion possible.  In many cases we may need to provide printed samples, so we can be certain we are achieving the results you are looking for.

If your branding requires pantone colors we will need to be provided those colors at the time of ordering.  

When designing in adobe please make sure to select the GRACol color palette as this is best suited for digital printing equipment.

Q.

What should I do if my files aren't CMYK?

A.

If your files are not in CMYK mode, they will need to be converted. You can convert them yourself, or we can do it for you. Because RGB and CMYK modes are so different, it is common for some color shifting to occur due to the conversion process, though it is often quite minor. If you convert the files, then you will be able to confirm ahead of time if the conversion process produces acceptable colors.

If you have us convert the files for you, we recommend that you view a printed proof before we complete your order, so you can see ahead of time how the converted colors will appear on the page. Proofing adds a step to the production process, so you'll need to plan for that if you choose to have us convert your colors for you.

Q.

How do I convert files to CMYK mode?

A.

The specific steps to change the color mode of your files varies from one program to the next. You'll want to consult your design program's documentation for the formal steps involved. Most art and design programs are capable of such conversions, while other programs, including the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc), do not have such features.

Q.

Is there anything else I should be aware of regarding color quality?

A.

Yes. Light can have a major effect on the appearance of a color. A printed color can look quite different when viewed in florescent lighting compared to sunlight. In a similar way, colors on your computer monitor can look different under different lighting conditions. For best results, try to keep your work environment's lighting as consistent as possible.  

If you have a branding guide that calls for specific pantone colors, the printer will need to know this information upfront at the time of the order.  Whenever in doubt, request a printed sample.  This will add to the cost, but our motto is better safe than sorry.

When designing in adobe please make sure to select the GRACol color palette as this is best suited for digital printing equipment.