Have you ever wondered how your favorite book or magazine gets printed with such vivid colors and sharp images? The answer lies in CMYK printing.
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, which are the four colors used in printing. These colors can create almost any shade or color you can think of, making them essential for print production. Printing with these colors is called "process printing" or "Four Color Process."
At Jukebox, we use both Offset and Digital print processes, which rely on CMYK colors. However, we can also use additional colors such as spot colors or Pantone Colors for screenprint and letterpress printing. But, if you want to make sure your design looks its best, it's best to set up your files in CMYK mode.
When you create designs for print, it's crucial to use the correct color mode. CMYK color mode will give you the closest representation of what your design will look like when it's printed. We accept artwork in both CMYK, Pantone, and RGB color modes. However, we highly recommend supplying artwork and files in CMYK mode so you have more control over the color and can make any necessary adjustments.
If you don't supply your files in CMYK mode, we'll convert them to CMYK using a specific profile called U.S. Sheetfed v2. But note that different software can generate different conversions, which means some color shift can occur when converting a color mode to CMYK.
On the other hand, RGB color mode is meant for designs that will appear on screens or LCD displays like computer monitors or TVs. But some colors displayed in RGB mode cannot be produced with CMYK printing, especially bright greens and hot pinks. So, if you're supplying design files in RGB mode, we strongly recommend placing your order with Proofing Type as "Online PDF Proof." This will ensure a PDF proof is sent to you for approval before we print, with the colors converted to CMYK color mode for you to preview.
In conclusion, understanding CMYK and RGB color modes is essential when preparing designs for print. By using CMYK mode and ordering a PDF proof, you'll be able to ensure your designs look their best when printed.