Why do photos change color when printed? Differences between RGB and CMYK and solutions

This article was written by PHOTOPRI, a company that provides exhibition-quality print services for photography and art exhibitions. From professional artists to hobbyists, we support everyone's desire to express their work in the best possible way.

I put all my effort into this photo and finished it with the best colors. But when I printed it...
"The colors seem a bit dull..." "Where's that vibrant blue I saw on the monitor?"

Have you ever been disappointed by such an experience? In fact, it's not because of your editing skills or the photo data itself. In many cases, the cause lies in the difference in the color "rules" between "RGB" and "CMYK."

In this article, we, art print experts, will thoroughly explain the color problems that plague many creators, from their root causes to innovative solutions that will reproduce colors exactly as they appear on your monitor. If you want to never be disappointed with the color of your prints again, this is the guide for you.

Basic rules of color: "color of light" RGB and "color of ink" CMYK

The key to solving the color mystery lies in first understanding the difference between the two color models.

RGB: Expressing color with "light" (additive color mixing)

This is a method of creating color by mixing three "lights": red, green, and blue. PC monitors, smartphone screens, and digital camera sensors use RGB to represent color. When all three lights overlap, the result is "white," which is why it is called "additive color mixing."

CMYK: Color is expressed using "ink" (subtractive color mixing)

This is a method of creating colors by mixing three "inks" - cyan, magenta, and yellow - with a key plate (black). It is used in general color printing, where ink is applied to a white medium such as paper. The more colors are mixed, the darker the result becomes, approaching "black," which is why it is called "subtractive color mixing."

The biggest reason! The range of colors that can be expressed (color gamut) is different

"I understand the difference between RGB and CMYK, but why does it lead to color changes?"
The answer lies in the fact that each has a different range of colors that it can express (color gamut) .

Take a look at the diagram below, which shows the range of colors visible to humans that can be covered by common RGB (sRGB and Adobe RGB) and CMYK.

Generally, RGB has a wider range of colors that can be expressed than CMYK.

Have you noticed? In particular, vivid greens, blues, and fluorescent colors can be expressed in RGB, but they are often outside the range of CMYK.

Many printing services forcefully convert your precious photo data created in RGB to the CMYK rules during the printing process. When this happens, colors outside the CMYK range are replaced with the closest color, resulting in dull colors and loss of vividness .

[Solution] Don't give up on monitor colors. The answer is "RGB direct printing"

"So, does that mean I have to give up on the vivid colors I see on the monitor when it comes to prints...?"

No, that's not the case.

We at PHOTOPRI offer "RGB direct printing."
This method bypasses the typical CMYK conversion process and directly interprets the RGB data received from the customer using our color management technology, then outputs it using a high-performance printer equipped with wide color gamut inks.

Our mission is to reproduce the rich color information of RGB on paper without losing it.

This method makes it possible to print with astonishing fidelity the vibrant colors that cannot be expressed by CMYK conversion. We reproduce on paper every single color that you have carefully selected in front of your monitor.

Learn more about PHOTOPRI's RGB direct printing

Which data should you submit? The correct answer is "RGB"

When ordering from PHOTOPRI, there is no need for you to convert to CMYK.

• Leave the camera's color settings set to "Adobe RGB" or "sRGB" (either is acceptable, but Adobe RGB is recommended as it has a wider color gamut).
• When working with editing software such as Photoshop, please keep the image in RGB mode when saving.
• Please send the RGB color data directly via the form.

We receive data in the best possible form and print it in the best possible form. That is our job. For more information, please see the "About submitted data" page.

Summary: No more worries about print colors.

The reason why photographs often have dull colors is due to the "RGB to CMYK conversion." "RGB direct printing" solves this problem and reproduces the same impression on paper as you see on a monitor.

For all creators who have struggled with color differences and given up on expressing the colors they wanted, PHOTOPRI will liberate your sense of color. Try it out and experience the difference for yourself.

First, try our trial print and see for yourself the amazing color reproduction.