If you've noticed that the printed product looks different from your original design, this is usually due to the difference between RGB and CMYK color spaces.
Most design software creates artwork in RGB (Red, Green, Blue) because it is intended for digital displays such as computer monitors, tablets, and smartphones.
Commercial printers, including Subliminator's production process, print using CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). As part of production, your RGB artwork is automatically converted to CMYK.
Because the RGB color gamut is larger than CMYK, some bright or highly saturated colors cannot be reproduced exactly in print.
How can I preview color changes?
If you're using Adobe Photoshop, you can preview how your design will look when converted to CMYK before uploading it to Subliminator.
This allows you to:
Identify colors that may shift during printing.
Adjust colors before exporting your artwork.
Improve color accuracy in the final printed product.
If you notice significant differences after converting your file to CMYK, you can fine-tune your design before saving your final print file.
Tips for achieving the best print colors
To improve print consistency, we recommend:
Design in RGB, as required by Subliminator.
Preview your artwork in CMYK before exporting, especially if your design contains bright neon or highly saturated colors.
Avoid relying on screen brightness alone, since every monitor displays colors differently.
Use high-quality images and graphics.
Export your artwork at the recommended dimensions and highest quality.
Will the printed product ever match my screen exactly?
Not always.
Every monitor displays colors differently depending on its brightness, calibration, and color settings. Because printing uses physical inks rather than light, slight color variations between your screen and the finished product are normal and expected.
By previewing your design in CMYK and following Subliminator's artwork recommendations, you can achieve the closest possible match.