Color Issues

Troubleshoot color problems and achieve accurate print results

Common Color Problems

Color issues are the most frequent challenges in print design. Understanding why colors look different and how to fix them is essential.

Critical: Screen colors (RGB) and print colors (CMYK) use fundamentally different systems. Some screen colors cannot be reproduced in print. This is normal, not a bug.

Problem 1: Colors Look Wrong/Different

Symptoms:

• Printed colors don’t match screen
• Colors appear duller than expected
• Specific colors shifted (blues, oranges, bright greens)

Root cause: RGB vs CMYK gamut difference

Understanding the Issue

RGB vs CMYK Gamut

Two different color systems:

RGB (Screen):

• Light-based (additive)
• Wider color range
• Vibrant colors possible
• 16.7 million colors

CMYK (Print):

• Ink-based (subtractive)
• Narrower color range
• Physical ink limitations
• ~1 million reproducible colors

The gap: RGB can show colors CMYK can’t print

Example:

Bright electric blue (RGB: 0, 100, 255)
↓ Converts to ↓
Duller navy blue (CMYK: 100, 60, 0, 0)

This is physics, not a software limitation

Which Colors Lose Most

Most affected colors (from worst to best):

1. Electric/Neon colors (80-90% shift):

• Neon pink, electric blue, lime green
• Screen: Glowing
• Print: Significantly duller

2. Bright oranges/cyans (40-60% shift):

• Bright orange (RGB: 255, 128, 0)
• Bright cyan (RGB: 0, 255, 255)
• Noticeable difference

3. Deep purples (30-50% shift):

• Purple/violet tones
• Tend toward blue in print

4. Earth tones (5-15% shift):

• Browns, beiges, grays
• Minimal change

5. Pure cyan/magenta/yellow (0-5% shift):

• CMYK primary colors
• Nearly identical

Strategy: Use CMYK-safe colors from start

What You Can Control

Controllable factors:

✅ Choose CMYK-friendly colors

• Design with print in mind
• Avoid RGB-only colors

✅ Use ICC profiles correctly

• Proper color conversion
• Minimize shift

✅ Set realistic expectations

• Know what’s possible
• Educate clients

✅ Use soft proofing

• Preview CMYK appearance
• Adjust before printing

✅ Order physical proofs

• See actual result
• Make informed adjustments

❌ Can’t change physics

• CMYK has hard limits
• Some colors impossible

Solutions

Solution 1: Use Soft Proofing

Preview CMYK before printing:

In Figma:

1. Install color profile viewer plugin
2. Preview CMYK simulation
3. Adjust colors accordingly

In Acrobat/Preview:

1. Open exported PDF
2. Enable “Overprint Preview” (Acrobat)
3. View → Proof Colors (Photoshop)

What to look for:

• Which colors shifted most
• Overall color balance
• Acceptable vs unacceptable changes

Adjust in Figma:

• Increase saturation slightly to compensate
• Choose alternate colors for severely affected areas
• Re-export and check again

Limitation: Soft proofing is approximate (screen limitations)

Solution 2: Design in CMYK-Safe Colors

Prevention is best:

Use CMYK color picker:

1. Convert RGB to CMYK early
2. Choose colors that convert well
3. Test before finalizing design

CMYK-safe color guidelines:

• Blues: C100 M60 Y0 K0 (instead of electric blue)
• Greens: C60 M0 Y100 K0 (instead of neon green)
• Reds: C0 M100 Y100 K0 (achievable vibrant red)
• Oranges: C0 M60 Y100 K0 (good orange)
• Purples: C60 M100 Y0 K0 (solid purple)

Resources:

• CMYK color charts
• Print color guides
• Pantone coated/uncoated books

Result: What you design is what you get

Solution 3: Use Pantone/Spot Colors

For critical brand colors:

When to use:

• Logo colors must be exact
• Brand guidelines specify Pantone
• Budget allows spot color printing

Process:

1. Ask printer if they support spot colors
2. Define colors as Pantone (e.g., PMS 286 C)
3. Enable spot color preservation in Printery
4. Export with spot colors intact

Advantages:

• Exact color match
• Consistent across print runs
• Wider gamut than CMYK

Disadvantages:

• More expensive (extra ink plate)
• Limited to specific colors
• Not all printers support

Best for: Business cards, branding materials, packaging

Solution 4: Order Test Print

Physical proof is ultimate truth:

Process:

1. Export final PDF
2. Order small quantity (1-5 copies)
3. Review physical print
4. Adjust if needed
5. Order full run

Cost:

• Sample prints: $5-20
• Saves reprinting costs if colors wrong

What to check:

• Overall color accuracy
• Specific brand colors
• Photos/images quality
• Dark areas (blacks, shadows)

Adjust:

• Increase saturation if too dull
• Adjust specific problematic colors
• Re-export and test again

Professional approach: Always proof critical projects

Solution 5: Communicate Expectations

For clients/stakeholders:

Set expectations early: “Print colors will look different from screen. This is normal due to RGB vs CMYK limitations.”

Show comparisons:

• Side-by-side soft proof
• Previous print samples
• Color gamut diagrams

Explain limitations:

• Some colors can’t be printed
• Physics, not software issue
• Solutions: spot colors, accept difference, adjust design

Get approval:

• Share PDF soft proof
• Order physical proof if critical
• Get written approval before full run

Avoid surprises: Educated clients = happy clients

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Problem 2: Colors Too Dull/Muted

Symptoms:

• All colors less vibrant than expected
• Overall “washed out” appearance
• Lacking punch/contrast

Common causes: Wrong ICC profile, incorrect settings, paper type

Diagnosis

1. Check ICC Profile

   Verify correct profile selected:

   Common mistake: Generic CMYK instead of specific profile

   In Printery:

   • Color tab → ICC Profile
   • Should match printer’s specification

   Correct profiles (most common):

   • ISO Coated v2 300%: Europe, coated paper (most common)
   • GRACoL 2006: USA, coated paper
   • SWOP 2006: USA, newsprint/uncoated
   • PSO Uncoated v3: Uncoated paper

   Wrong profile = wrong colors

   Fix: Select matching profile, re-export

2. Check Rendering Intent

   Affects color conversion:

   In Printery:

   • Color tab → Rendering Intent
   • Should be: Relative Colorimetric (default)

   Other intents:

   • Perceptual: Compresses all colors (can make dull)
   • Saturation: For graphics (can oversaturate)
   • Absolute: Rare use

   Fix: Change to Relative Colorimetric if different

3. Check Paper Type

   Paper affects final appearance:

   Coated paper (glossy/matte):

   • Brighter colors
   • Better ink absorption
   • Sharper images

   Uncoated paper:

   • Duller colors (natural appearance)
   • Ink spreads/absorbs more
   • Softer look

   Your profile must match paper:

   • Coated profile + coated paper = Good
   • Coated profile + uncoated paper = Too dark
   • Uncoated profile + coated paper = Too bright

   Fix: Verify paper type with printer, use matching profile

4. Check Black Handling

   Can affect overall contrast:

   In Printery:

   • Color tab → Black Handling
   • Try: Preserve black for better contrast

   If set to convert all:

   • Pure blacks become CMYK mix
   • Can reduce contrast
   • Shadows less deep

   Fix: Enable black preservation

Solutions

Increase Saturation in Design

Compensate in advance:

Before export, increase color saturation by 10-20%

In Figma: Adjust HSB saturation slider

Why: Compensates for CMYK conversion dulling

Test: Export, check soft proof, adjust if needed

Use Rich Black

For dark areas:

Instead of pure black (K100), use:

• C60 M40 Y40 K100 (rich black)

Result: Deeper, richer blacks and dark areas

Apply: Dark backgrounds, shadows, text over 24pt

Verify Paper Stock

Ask printer:

“What paper stock are you using?”

Match profile to paper:

• Glossy coated → ISO Coated v2 300%
• Matte coated → ISO Coated v2 300%
• Uncoated → PSO Uncoated v3

Consider upgrading paper if budget allows

Order Color Proof

Physical proof essential:

See actual ink on actual paper

Adjust if needed: Based on proof results

Saves: Costly reprints

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Problem 3: Specific Colors Wrong

Symptoms:

• One or two specific colors off
• Logo color doesn’t match brand
• Skin tones look wrong

Brand Colors / Logo Colors

Problem: Logo Color Off

Logo blue prints purple, logo red prints brown, etc.

Why:

• Logo designed in RGB
• CMYK can’t match exactly
• Conversion shifted color

Solutions:

Option A: Accept CMYK version

• Some shift inevitable
• Adjust to closest CMYK match
• Document in brand guidelines

Option B: Use Pantone spot color

• Exact match possible
• Requires spot color printing
• More expensive but accurate

Option C: Find CMYK equivalent

• Work with brand manager
• Define “official CMYK version”
• Use consistently

Best practice: Brands should have both RGB and CMYK versions defined

Solution: Pantone Spot Color

For exact brand color match:

When to use:

• Logo must match exactly
• Brand guidelines specify Pantone
• Budget allows ($0.50-2.00 extra per piece)

Process:

1. Get Pantone number from brand guidelines (e.g., PMS 286 C)
2. Define in Figma as Pantone color
3. Enable in Printery: Color tab → Preserve spot colors
4. Verify printer supports: Ask before ordering
5. Export: Spot color preserved in PDF

Result: Exact color match, consistent across all prints

Cost: Worth it for business cards, branding materials

Solution: Adjust CMYK Values

Fine-tune specific colors:

Process:

1. Export PDF with current colors
2. Note which colors wrong
3. In Figma, manually adjust CMYK values
4. Re-export and test

Example adjustment:

Original: C70 M20 Y0 K0 (too purple)
Adjusted: C80 M10 Y0 K0 (more blue)

Tools:

• CMYK color picker
• Pantone to CMYK conversion charts
• Physical proof prints

Iteration: May require 2-3 tests to perfect

Document: Once found, save exact CMYK values for future

Skin Tones

Problem: Skin Tones Too Red/Orange

Common issue: People look sunburned

Cause: Excessive magenta in CMYK conversion

Solution:

Check cyan levels:

• Skin tones need cyan balance
• Too little cyan = too red/orange

Good skin tone CMYK ranges:

• Light skin: C5 M20 Y20 K0
• Medium skin: C20 M35 Y40 K5
• Dark skin: C40 M50 Y50 K30

Adjust: Increase cyan slightly, reduce magenta slightly

Test: Print proof of faces before full run

Problem: Skin Tones Too Yellow/Green

Cause: Too much yellow, not enough magenta

Solution:

Increase magenta: Add warmth Reduce yellow: Remove green cast Add slight cyan: For natural tone

Use reference: Professional portrait prints for comparison

Critical for: Portraits, family photos, beauty products

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Problem 4: Colors Not Converting (Still RGB)

Symptoms:

• PDF still in RGB
• Printer rejects file
• Colors wildly wrong when printed

Cause: CMYK conversion not enabled or failed

Check and Fix

1. Verify Conversion Enabled

   In Printery:

   Color tab → Convert to CMYK: ✓ Enabled

   If disabled: Colors stay RGB (wrong for print)

   Enable it: Re-export

2. Verify in PDF

   Check PDF color space:

   Adobe Acrobat:

   1. File → Properties → Fonts tab
   2. Should show CMYK color space

   Preflight check:

   1. Tools → Print Production → Preflight
   2. Check “Color spaces”
   3. Should be CMYK only (or CMYK + spot colors)

   If shows RGB: Conversion failed

3. Check for RGB-Only Objects

   Some objects might not convert:

   • Certain blend modes (Screen, Multiply)
   • Some effects (rare)
   • Placed RGB PDFs (won’t auto-convert)

   Solution: Flatten or rasterize those objects in Figma first

4. Re-export with Correct Settings

   Ensure:

   • Convert to CMYK: Enabled ✓
   • ICC Profile: Selected (e.g., ISO Coated v2)
   • Rendering intent: Relative Colorimetric

   Export: Generate new PDF

   Verify: Check PDF color space again

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Problem 5: Colors Inconsistent Across Prints

Symptoms:

• Business card batch 1 different from batch 2
• Colors vary within same print run
• Inconsistent results from same printer

Causes: Multiple factors

Printer Calibration

Most common cause:

Digital printers drift over time:

• Ink levels
• Print head alignment
• Temperature/humidity

Offset printers variation:

• Ink mixing
• Pressure settings
• Operator differences

Solution:

• Ask printer: “How do you ensure color consistency?”
• Request: Press check or color matching
• Professional printers: Regular calibration (better consistency)
• Budget printers: More variation (accept or upgrade)

Paper Variation

Different paper batches can vary:

Even same type:

• Different manufacturing run
• Age of paper
• Storage conditions

Solution:

• Specify exact paper for reorders
• Order extras from same batch for future
• Accept minor variation (normal)

Your Files Changed

Check your exports:

Are you using:

• Same ICC profile each time?
• Same compression settings?
• Same version of Printery?

Solution:

• Save preset in Printery
• Use same settings every time
• Keep copies of exact PDFs used

Ensuring Consistency

1. Use Printery Presets

   Save exact settings:

   1. Configure all settings perfectly
   2. Export tab → Save as preset
   3. Name it (e.g., “Business Card - PrintShop ABC”)
   4. Always use same preset for reorders

   Result: Identical PDFs every time

2. Keep Reference Prints

   From first successful batch:

   • Keep 5-10 copies as reference
   • Mark “REFERENCE - Match this”
   • Give to printer for color matching
   • Store in dark, cool place (colors fade)
3. Specify in Print Order

   Include in order:

   “Please match colors to previous job #12345” or “Please match attached reference sample”

   Professional printers: Can match with good accuracy

4. G7 Certified Printer

   For critical projects:

   G7 certification = industry standard for color consistency

   Find G7 printer: Better consistency, higher cost

   Worth it: Corporate branding, high-volume projects

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Problem 6: Dark Colors Muddy/Flat

Symptoms:

• Dark areas lack detail
• Shadows all look same
• Rich blacks look flat

Cause: TAC (Total Area Coverage) limiting or GCR too aggressive

Understanding TAC and GCR

What is TAC?

TAC = Total Area Coverage:

Sum of all ink percentages: C + M + Y + K

Example:

Color: C80 M60 Y60 K40
TAC: 80 + 60 + 60 + 40 = 240%

Limits by profile:

• ISO Coated v2: 330% max
• SWOP: 300% max
• Newsprint: 240% max

Exceeding TAC:

• Too much ink
• Paper can’t absorb
• Smearing, offset issues

GCR (Gray Component Replacement):

• Removes CMY, adds K
• Reduces TAC
• But can flatten colors

GCR Too Aggressive

Symptoms:

• Shadows all same tone
• Lost detail in dark areas
• Flat, muddy appearance

What happened: GCR replaced too much CMY with K

Example:

Original: C70 M60 Y50 K60 (TAC 240%)
After GCR: C20 M10 Y10 K80 (TAC 120%)
Result: Lost color nuance, flat black

Trade-off: Lower TAC vs color richness

Solutions

Adjust GCR settings:

In Printery (if available):

• Color tab → GCR: Medium (default)
• For rich shadows: Light GCR
• For high TAC limits: Heavy GCR

Work with printer:

• Ask their TAC limit
• Ask preferred GCR setting
• They may adjust during RIP

Use rich black recipe:

• C60 M40 Y40 K100
• Deep, rich without excessive TAC
• TAC = 240% (within most limits)

Alternative: Accept some flattening for print compatibility

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Prevention Checklist

Avoid color issues before they happen:

• Design with CMYK limitations in mind
• Use CMYK-safe color palette from start
• Enable soft proofing early and often
• Select correct ICC profile for printer/paper
• Use Relative Colorimetric rendering intent
• Save Printery preset for consistency
• Order test prints for critical projects
• Define brand CMYK values officially
• Use Pantone spot colors for exact brand matches
• Communicate RGB vs CMYK limitations to clients
• Keep reference samples for reorders
• Verify PDF color space before sending to printer

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When to Order Physical Proofs

Always proof for:

• Brand launches (logos, collateral)
• Large quantities (1000+ pieces)
• Expensive projects (budget > $1000)
• Critical color matching (corporate colors)
• Client-facing premium materials

Can skip proofs for:

• Internal documents
• Black and white prints
• Familiar printer/process
• Low-value projects
• Urgent deadlines (accept risk)

Proof cost: $10-50 typically

Reprint cost: $200-5000+ if colors wrong

Worth it: Almost always for important projects

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Realistic Expectations

Truth about print colors:

1. Screen ≠ Print: Will never match exactly (physics)
2. Variation exists: Even professional printers have 5-10% variation
3. Paper matters: Same ink on different paper = different result
4. Proofing essential: For critical color matching
5. Spot colors: Only way to guarantee exact match
6. Experience helps: More prints = better color prediction

Set expectations: Educate clients early, avoid disappointment

Learn More

RGB vs CMYK

Deep dive into color models

ICC Profiles

Choosing the right profile

Spot Colors

Using Pantone for exact matching

Color Accuracy Tutorial

Complete color workflow guide