Why your colors look different in CMYK preview

When you design in the editor, you can preview your artwork in two color modes: RGB and CMYK. Switching between them can make your colors look a little different, and that is completely normal. Here is what each one means and when to use it.

The two color modes

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
RGB is the standard color mode for screens and digital images. Colors in RGB look bright and vibrant because your screen creates them with light. This is the default preview in the editor.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
CMYK is the color mode used in printing. Printers build colors by mixing inks instead of light, and that range is a little smaller than your screen can show. Colors in CMYK preview may look slightly less vibrant, but they give you a more realistic idea of how your final printed product will look.

Why the colors shift

Screens glow, prints do not. A screen mixes light to create very bright, saturated colors, while a print lays ink on a physical surface. Some of the most vivid colors on screen, especially bright blues, greens, and neons, cannot be reproduced exactly with ink, so they settle into the closest printable version. That is why they look a touch softer in CMYK preview.

Which one should I use?

• Design and fine-tune your artwork in RGB. It is the truest view of your original colors.

• Switch to CMYK preview before you order to get a closer idea of the printed result. This is especially helpful if your design uses very bright or neon colors, since those shift the most.

• Small differences are normal. A print is ink on a physical surface, not a backlit screen, so it will always look a little softer than your display.

Tips for print-friendly colors

• If a color really matters to you, check it in CMYK preview and adjust if the shift feels too strong.

• Very bright neon shades rarely print exactly as they appear on screen. If you love a neon look, expect it to come out a little more muted.

• Deep, rich tones and most everyday colors print very close to what you see.

The color preview is there to help you set expectations before you order, so there are no surprises when your product arrives.