Should I use CMYK or RGB for printing?
Use CMYK for your business cards because it is the subtractive process standard for physical ink, whereas RGB is additive light designed for digital screens. If you submit an RGB file, the printer must convert it to CMYK, which often results in muted or shifted colors. To ensure your brand colors match expectations, you should convert your design to CMYK using a standard ICC profile before exporting. This step guarantees that the subtractive inks mix correctly on the paper, preserving the vibrancy you intended in your digital artwork.
Sources
- ISO 12647-2:2013 — Graphic technology: process control for offset lithographic processes
- ICC color management standards