We totally get it—seeing your design look a little lackluster in an online proof can be disappointing. But don’t worry! There’s a simple explanation, and we’re here to help you understand why this happens and what you can do about it.
The RGB vs. CMYK Thing
So here’s the deal: When you’re designing on a computer or online tool, you’re most likely working in RGB (which stands for Red, Green, and Blue). RGB is awesome for screens, making colors pop with brightness and vibrancy. But when it comes time to print, things change. Printers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) to mix colors with ink, and that’s where the difference happens.
Because RGB and CMYK speak different “color languages,” some of those super bright colors in RGB don’t translate as well to CMYK. That’s why your printed proof might look a little duller than what you saw on your screen.
Why Did My Colors Change?
The file you sent was in RGB, but when it’s time to print, we convert everything to CMYK. This conversion can cause colors, especially those bright, neon ones, to look less vibrant. Think of it like translating a word into another language—it might not have the exact same meaning.
See the Difference
Check out this business card comparison: On the left, you see the design in RGB, full of bright, bold colors. On the right is the same design converted to CMYK. Notice how the colors look a bit more muted? That’s the difference between screen colors and print colors.
 RGB |  CMYK |
How to Keep Your Colors Popping
Want to make sure your printed designs look as close as possible to what you see on your screen? Here are some tips:
Design in CMYK: When you’re getting started, set your document to CMYK mode. This way, you’ll see right away how your colors will look in print.
Check Your Tool: If you’re designing with an online tool, like Canva or others, keep in mind they usually work in RGB. See if you can switch to CMYK or export your design as a CMYK file before printing.
Tweak in Illustrator: If you’re using something like Adobe Illustrator, you can convert your RGB design to CMYK and make any color tweaks before sending it off to print.
We’re Here to Help!
If you're not happy with the proof, just let our team know and we will try our best to enhance the colors to the best of our ability. We’ll send you another proof. We're here to help!