When I create designs for print — from business cards and brochures to wedding programs, invitations, and save-the-dates — I build them in the CMYK color system. This ensures your colors print the way they should: consistent, reliable, and professional across every project. I handle the conversions and technical details so you don’t have to worry about mismatches between what you see on screen and what comes off the press.
CMYK – Acronym for Cyan Magenta Yellow Black - this is the industry standard in the graphic design and printing industries:
- Book Cover Design
- Brand Pattern Design – Generally used in packaging and other collateral
- Brochure – Tri – Fold, Bi – Fold, or Z – Fold
- Business Card Design – Single or double sided, portrait and landscape versions included
- Candle Labels
- Cards
- Door Hangers
- E-Book Cover Design
- Email Signature Logo
- Flyers
- Gift Certificates
- Hang Tags
- Info Graphics
- Labels
- Magazine Layout
- Newsletter
- Packaging – sometimes combined with spot color Pantone
- Rack Cards
- Restaurant Menus
- Step and Repeat Banners
- Stickers
- Table Tents
- Thank You Cards
- Vinyl Banners with Grommets
- Wedding Programs – Invites, RSVP’s, Save the Dates
- Wine Labels
How CMYK Works:
- CMYK is a subtractive color model. Colors are created by layering differing percentages of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink.
- More ink makes colors darker, while less ink allows the paper’s whiteness to show through, making colors lighter.
- Often appears duller or more subdued when converted from RGB digital colors.
- Color range of CMYK: 4 channels with possibility of 0% to 100% each.
- Since CMYK has a far smaller color range than RGB, some colors will print less vibrantly than they appear on screen, which is digital RGB.
- Deep or pure black may appear as varying shades of gray if only using K (black) ink. To achieve a true black, designers use a mix. Example: C60 M40 Y40 K100.
What I Always Advise and Educate My Clients On for CMYK Printing:
- I show them the RGB artwork; then show them the same artwork converted to CMYK.
- I explain the RGB and CMYK ink principles clearly and simply so they understand.
- I always give them the RGB sample for their records; and also the CMYK artwork in PDF form to take to their chosen printer.
- I advise them to always get a proof from the printer first before giving permission to print the run.
- I also advise them that different paper finishes and types will cause colors to appear somewhat differently. Glossy, matte, etc. can affect how the final colors look.
- I tell them to discuss any color differentials with their chosen printer, who invariably explains what I already did to them – the differences between RGB and CMYK.