Color mode and color profile

Colors in print – please keep the following in mind

Colors play a crucial role in the impact of your printed product. It's important to know that color representation can vary depending on the screen, software, or printing material.

To ensure your print result is as close as possible to your design, you should consider some basic color settings.

Why can colors differ in print?

Colors can appear differently on various devices. A screen, for example, displays colors differently than a printed result. The properties of the material used can also influence the color effect in print.

Typical factors are:

• different screen displays

• various printing processes or printing systems

• material properties like whiteness or transparency

• color profiles of the data used

These influences can lead to a color tone appearing slightly different in print than on the monitor.

However, if your file is prepared correctly, such deviations can usually be kept very small.

Which color mode should your file have?

Basically, print data can be created in both RGB and CMYK format.

• Photos and image data: RGB often provides the best results.

• Graphics, logos, and layouts: CMYK is usually the safer choice, as our printers also work with CMYK colors.

By choosing the correct color mode, potential color deviations can be significantly reduced.

Setting the CMYK color mode

If you work with vector graphics or layout programs, the CMYK color mode is often recommended.

Here's how to set it in Adobe Illustrator:

1. Open or create your document.

2. Go to File → Document Color Mode.

3. Select CMYK Color.

4. Open Edit → Assign Profile.

5. Select the color profile ISO Coated v2 (ECI)

6. Confirm the settings.

7. Save your file as Adobe PDF.

8. In the PDF settings under Output → Color, set:

   • Color Conversion: No Conversion

   • Profiles: Include All Profiles

Notes on using CMYK

When working with CMYK, consider a few important points:

• If you use PANTONE® colors, they can remain as spot colors.

• Very intense PANTONE® colors may deviate slightly in CMYK printing.

• Ensure that normal color swatches are set as Process Color.

• Spot colors should only be used when technically necessary, for example, for

  • PANTONE® colors

  • cutting lines

  • drill holes

  • white printing

  • for correct color processing, your print file should be exported as a PDF.

Using RGB color mode

For photos or image-heavy designs, RGB can be useful.

Here's how to set RGB in Adobe Photoshop, for example:

1. Open your file.

2. Go to Image → Mode.

3. Select RGB Color.

4. Open Edit → Assign Profile.

5. Select the profile sRGB IEC61966-2.1.

6. Then save the file as PDF.

7. In the PDF settings under Output → Color, set:

   • Color Conversion: No Conversion

   • Profiles: Include All Profiles