Why Your Printed Colors Do Not Match Your Screen

Screens emit light. Paper reflects it. That is the core of the problem — and the reason no print ever looks exactly like your screen.

Why the gap exists

A screen shows RGB colours by combining red, green, and blue light. A printer lays down cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink. Some RGB colours cannot be made from CMYK ink. The nearest match is what you get.

What you can control

Design in CMYK from the start if print accuracy matters. Use the print preview. Test a single copy before a full run. Stick to print-safe colours. Pick a paper type in advance and design for it.