Our #Supafam @JonPhenom is here to show you the basics of CMYK vs RGB colors and the best option for designing graphics to be used for heat transfers, t-shirts, and beyond!
At Supacolor, we’re committed to helping you achieve the best results with your designs. That’s why we teamed up with Jon Phenom, the renowned clothing brand mentor, to break down the differences between CMYK and RGB color modes. Here’s a comprehensive guide based on Jon Phenom’s insights to ensure your designs look perfect every time.
Why Color Modes Matter
The color mode you choose for your design is crucial for its final appearance, especially when printing. Factors like monitor calibration, workspace lighting, and sunlight can affect how colors look on your screen versus the printed product. Selecting the correct color mode helps match your screen colors more accurately to the printed colors.
CMYK vs. RGB: What Are They?
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black):
This traditional color mode is used for printing.
Ideal for physical products like banners, books, posters, and Supacolor transfers.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue):
This digital color mode is used for screens.
Perfect for web design, app design, and other digital formats.
Choosing the Right Mode for Supacolor Transfers
For Supacolor transfers, which will be heat pressed onto various substrates like t-shirts, hoodies, bags, or hats, designing in CMYK mode is essential. This ensures that the printed colors closely match what you see on your screen.
How to Set Your Color Mode
In Adobe Photoshop:
Navigate to Image > Mode > CMYK.
This setting ensures your design uses CMYK colors.
In Adobe Illustrator:
Go to File > Document Color Mode > CMYK Color.
This converts your document to CMYK.
In CorelDRAW:
Navigate to Tools > Color Management > Primary Color Mode.
Select CMYK for proper color settings.
Using Pantones for Precision
Supacolor allows you to specify Pantone colors when uploading your design. Pantones provide a universal color language, ensuring consistency across different mediums and locations. Visit pantone.com to find the exact ID numbers for your desired colors. Enter these Pantone numbers in the upload form on Supacolor to help our technicians match your colors as precisely as possible.
Final Tips
Always start with the end in mind: Design in CMYK for printed products.
Use Pantones for exact color matching.
If you have any questions, Supacolor’s team of technicians is here to assist.
Contact us at hello@supacolor.com