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3. Color Modes: CMYK vs. RGB

Part 6 • Technical Requirements for Print-Ready Artwork

This is a common point of confusion.

<ul> <li><strong>RGB (Red, Green, Blue):</strong> This is the color mode for digital displays (screens, monitors, phones).</li> <li><strong>CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black):</strong> This is the color mode for physical printing.</li> </ul> The colors you see on your screen (RGB) will often look slightly different when printed (CMYK). While Printify and most POD platforms will convert your RGB files to CMYK automatically, for the most predictable results, design in RGB (sRGB) mode, which is what Printify recommends for its printers, rather than converting to CMYK yourself. Either way, expect slight color shifts between screen and print, and order samples to verify.

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In this module: Technical Requirements for Print-Ready Artwork10 steps
  1. 1The Difference: Vector vs. Raster Graphics
  2. 2The Ideal File Format: PNG with Transparent Background
  3. 3Color Modes: CMYK vs. RGB
  4. 4Transparent Background is Non-Negotiable
  5. 5Font Considerations: Outlining Text
  6. 6Line Thickness and Detail
  7. 7Bleed, Margins, and Safe Print Areas
  8. 8File Naming Conventions
  9. 9Mockups vs. Print Files
  10. 10Your Artwork Checklist: The Non-Negotiables