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Why Color Management Matters

Color management is the difference between “close enough” and “exactly right” in print design. Poor color management leads to:
  • ❌ Brand colors that don’t match
  • ❌ Photos that look dull or wrong
  • ❌ Expensive reprints
  • ❌ Unhappy clients
Good color management ensures your prints look as intended - consistently, every time.

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The Color Challenge

The fundamental problem: 
Your Screen (RGB)        →        Printing (CMYK)
┌─────────────┐                  ┌─────────────┐
│ Emits Light │                  │ Reflects    │
│ Wide Gamut  │    ≠             │ Narrower    │
│ Vibrant     │                  │ Subdued     │
└─────────────┘                  └─────────────┘
Critical Fact: CMYK cannot reproduce all RGB colors. Some colors will shift - this is physics, not a software problem!

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Core Color Concepts

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1. RGB Color Model (Screen)

How it works:
  • Light-based: Emits colored light
  • Additive: Mix colors to create white
  • Components: Red + Green + Blue
  • Range: 16.7 million colors
Uses:
  • Computer monitors
  • TVs and displays
  • Mobile devices
  • Web design
RGB Mixing:
Red + Green = Yellow
Red + Blue = Magenta
Green + Blue = Cyan
All combined = White

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2. CMYK Color Model (Print)

How it works:
  • Ink-based: Subtracts colors from white paper
  • Subtractive: Mix inks to create black
  • Components: Cyan + Magenta + Yellow + Black (Key)
  • Range: Fewer colors than RGB
Uses:
  • Offset printing
  • Digital printing
  • Magazines, books
  • All physical print media
CMYK Mixing:
Cyan + Magenta = Blue
Cyan + Yellow = Green
Magenta + Yellow = Red
All combined ≈ Black (muddy)
K (Black) = Clean black
Why “K” for black? “K” stands for “Key” plate - traditionally the plate that carries the key image details.

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The Color Gamut Problem

Gamut = The range of colors a system can reproduce 
┌──────────────────────────┐
│   RGB Gamut (larger)     │
│  ┌──────────────────┐    │
│  │  CMYK Gamut      │    │
│  │  (smaller)       │    │
│  │                  │    │
│  └──────────────────┘    │
│                           │
└──────────────────────────┘

Colors in RGB but outside CMYK
= Will shift when converted

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Colors That Shift Most

  • Bright Blues
  • Vivid Greens
  • Pure Oranges
  • Deep Purples
RGB Blues: Vibrant, electric CMYK Result: Darker, more subduedExample:
  • Screen: Bright cyan (#00FFFF)
  • Print: Noticeably darker
Most Problematic: Neon colors, pure RGB primaries, and highly saturated hues.

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ICC Profiles: The Translation Layer

ICC Profiles are standardized color “dictionaries” that translate colors accurately between different devices and systems.

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How ICC Profiles Work

Your Design (RGB)
       ↓
ICC Profile (Translation rules)
       ↓
Print Output (CMYK)
Think of ICC profiles as language translators:
  • You speak RGB (English)
  • Printer speaks CMYK (Spanish)
  • ICC profile translates between them

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Common ICC Profiles

ProfileRegion/UsePaper TypeWhen to Use
ISO Coated v2 300%EuropeCoated paperMost common (recommended default)
FOGRA39Europe/GlobalCoatedStandard commercial printing
US Web Coated (SWOP) v2United StatesCoated webUS magazines, publications
Japan Color 2001 CoatedJapan/AsiaCoatedAsian market printing
PSO Uncoated ISO 12647EuropeUncoatedLetterhead, business forms
GRACoL 2006United StatesCoated sheetUS commercial printing
Not sure which to use? Start with ISO Coated v2 300% - it’s the most widely accepted profile worldwide.

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Color Conversion Strategies

Print for Figma offers multiple approaches:

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1. Automatic CMYK Conversion

How it works:
  • Plugin converts RGB → CMYK using selected ICC profile
  • Rendering intent determines how out-of-gamut colors are handled
Best for:
  • Most projects
  • Quick turnaround
  • Standard color accuracy

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2. Custom Color Mapping

How it works:
  • You define exact CMYK values for specific RGB colors
  • Plugin uses your mappings for those colors
Best for:
  • Brand colors that must be exact
  • When you have approved CMYK values
  • Critical color matching

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3. Spot Color Usage

How it works:
  • Uses premixed Pantone inks instead of CMYK
  • Exact color match guaranteed
Best for:
  • Brand logos and colors
  • Metallics, fluorescents
  • When color consistency is critical
These strategies can be combined! Use spot colors for logos, CMYK for photos, custom mapping for brand colors.

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Rendering Intents

When converting RGB to CMYK, you choose a rendering intent - how out-of-gamut colors are handled:
IntentHow It WorksBest ForResult
Relative ColorimetricMaps out-of-gamut to nearest CMYK colorMost designs (default)Preserves color relationships
PerceptualCompresses entire gamut to fit CMYKPhotos with many colorsSmooth transitions, less accuracy
Absolute ColorimetricExact match including paper whiteColor proofingMost accurate, can clip colors
SaturationMaximizes color vibrancyBusiness graphics, chartsVibrant, less accurate
Recommendation: Use Relative Colorimetric for 95% of projects. It provides the best balance of accuracy and visual appeal.

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The Color Management Workflow

1

1. Design in RGB

Create your design in Figma using RGB colors (native color space)
2

2. Identify Critical Colors

Note any brand colors or colors that must be exact
3

3. Choose ICC Profile

Select profile based on:
  • Your region
  • Paper type
  • Printer recommendations
4

4. Set Up Color Mapping (Optional)

Define exact CMYK values for brand colors
5

5. Preview Conversion

Use Print for Figma to preview CMYK version
6

6. Adjust if Needed

If colors shift too much, consider:
  • Using spot colors
  • Adjusting RGB values
  • Custom CMYK mapping
7

7. Export with Settings

Export PDF with selected ICC profile embedded
8

8. Verify PDF

Check colors in Adobe Acrobat or proof print

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Managing Expectations

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What You Can Control

✅ Consistent conversion - Same input always produces same output ✅ Professional profiles - Using industry-standard ICC profiles ✅ Spot color accuracy - Pantone colors print exactly ✅ Black handling - Pure black text vs rich black areas

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What You Cannot Control

❌ Physics - CMYK gamut is smaller than RGB ❌ Paper variations - Different papers show colors differently ❌ Viewing conditions - Light source affects perceived color ❌ Press conditions - Slight variations between print runs
Set Realistic Expectations: Perfect color matching between screen and print is impossible. The goal is consistent, predictable, professional results.

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Common Color Issues and Solutions

Causes:
  • RGB colors outside CMYK gamut
  • Wrong ICC profile
  • Uncoated paper used
Solutions:
  • Choose CMYK-friendly colors from start
  • Use spot colors for critical hues
  • Request coated paper for more vibrant output
Causes:
  • Automatic conversion altered colors
  • Brand colors defined in RGB only
Solutions:
  • Get approved CMYK or Pantone values
  • Use custom color mapping
  • Consider spot colors for logos
Causes:
  • Different ICC profiles used
  • Different printers or batches
  • Paper stock variations
Solutions:
  • Always use same ICC profile
  • Use same printer when possible
  • Request color-managed proofs
Causes:
  • Conversion created too much ink coverage
  • Dark colors using all four inks
Solutions:
  • Enable GCR (Gray Component Replacement)
  • Adjust total ink limit in settings
  • Use UCR for dark areas

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Quick Start: Color Management in 3 Steps

For most projects, follow this simple workflow:
1

Step 1: Enable CMYK Conversion

In Print for Figma → Color tab:
  • ✓ Enable “Convert to CMYK”
2

Step 2: Choose ICC Profile

Select ISO Coated v2 300% (best default) Or ask your printer for their preference
3

Step 3: Export

Export PDF - colors will be professionally converted
That’s it for basic projects! For advanced needs, explore custom mapping and spot colors.

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Learn More About Color

RGB vs CMYK Deep Dive

Understand the technical details

ICC Profile Guide

Choose the right profile for your project

Spot Colors & Pantone

When and how to use spot colors

Black Handling

Rich black vs pure black strategies

Troubleshooting Colors

Fix common color problems

Color Accuracy Tutorial

Achieve professional color results

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Color Management Checklist

  • ICC profile selected: Appropriate for paper and region
  • Rendering intent chosen: Usually Relative Colorimetric
  • Brand colors verified: CMYK or Pantone values confirmed
  • Spot colors defined: If using Pantone
  • Black strategy set: K100 for text, rich black for areas
  • PDF verified: Checked in Acrobat or proof print
  • Printer consulted: Confirmed their color requirements
With proper color management, your prints will match expectations every time!
Color matching is both art and science. Join our Discord to learn from experienced print designers!