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Color Conversion Overview

Print for Figma converts your RGB designs to CMYK for professional printing, using industry-standard ICC profiles for accurate color reproduction.
Why convert? Screens use RGB (light), printers use CMYK (ink). Conversion ensures your colors print as expected.

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Accessing Color Conversion

1

Select Frame

Click the frame you want to export
2

Launch Plugin

Plugins → Print for Figma
3

Color Tab

Click “Color” tab in the plugin interface
4

Enable CMYK Conversion

Toggle: “Convert to CMYK” ✓ ON

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Key Color Settings

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1. CMYK Conversion Toggle

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2. ICC Profile Selection

Most important color decision!
  • ISO Coated v2 300%
  • US Web Coated (SWOP) v2
  • GRACoL 2006
  • PSO Uncoated
  • Custom ICC
Region: Europe, GlobalStandard: ISO 12647-2Paper: Coated (glossy/matte)Ink Limit: 300% TACWhen to use:
  • European printing
  • Standard commercial projects
  • Magazine/brochure production
  • Default recommendation (works 90% of time)
Color characteristics:
  • Vibrant colors
  • Good gamut
  • Industry standard

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3. Rendering Intent

How to handle out-of-gamut colors (colors that can’t be reproduced in CMYK)
  • Relative Colorimetric
  • Perceptual
  • Saturation
  • Absolute Colorimetric
Method: Shifts out-of-gamut colors to nearest CMYK equivalentCharacteristics:
  • Maintains in-gamut colors exactly
  • Clips out-of-gamut to gamut edge
  • Preserves white point
  • Most predictable
Best for:
  • Logos (color accuracy)
  • Brand colors
  • Spot color simulation
  • Default choice (90% of cases)
Example:
Bright RGB blue → Closest CMYK blue
(slightly less vibrant)
Recommendation: Use Relative Colorimetric for 95% of projects

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4. Black Generation Method

How CMYK black is created
  • GCR (Gray Component Replacement)
  • UCR (Under Color Removal)
  • Maximum GCR
Method: Replaces CMY gray with K (black ink)How it works:
Instead of: C50 M50 Y50 K0 (gray from colors)
Use: C10 M10 Y10 K70 (gray from black ink)
Characteristics:
  • Lower total ink
  • Faster drying
  • Better neutrals
  • Industry standard
Advantages:
  • Reduced TAC
  • Cleaner grays
  • Better registration (less critical)
  • Cost savings (less CMY ink)
Best for: Most modern printing✅ Default recommendation
Recommendation: Use GCR (Medium) - the default ICC profile setting

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5. Black Handling

How to treat black elements
  • Automatic
  • All Pure Black
  • All Rich Black
  • Custom Formula
Smart black conversion:
  • Text → Pure black (K100)
  • Small elements → Pure black
  • Large areas → Rich black
Settings:
  • Text < 18pt: K100
  • Lines < 2pt: K100
  • Shapes > 1 inch²: Rich black (C60 M40 Y40 K100)
Result: Best of both worlds✅ Recommended for most projects

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6. Spot Colors (Pro)

Add Pantone or special inks
  • Enable Spot Colors
  • Add Spot Color
  • Spot Color Settings
Toggle: “Add Spot Colors” ✓What it does:
  • Converts specific colors to spot plates
  • Adds Pantone to CMYK
  • Creates separate ink plate
Use for:
  • Brand colors (exact match)
  • Colors outside CMYK gamut
  • Metallic/fluorescent inks
Pro feature: Requires Pro subscription

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Color Conversion Process

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What Happens Behind the Scenes

1

1. Color Detection

Plugin scans your design:
  • All fills (shapes, text)
  • All strokes (borders, lines)
  • All images (raster graphics)
  • All effects (shadows, glows)
Identifies: RGB, HEX, HSL values
2

2. Profile Application

ICC profile loaded:
  • Selected profile (e.g., ISO Coated v2)
  • Contains color space definition
  • Defines conversion rules
Creates: RGB → CMYK lookup table
3

3. Color Mapping

Each color converted:
  • RGB value input
  • Profile lookup
  • CMYK value output
Example:
RGB (255, 0, 0)  [Red]
↓ (ISO Coated v2 profile)
CMYK (0, 100, 100, 0)  [Red]
4

4. Gamut Handling

For out-of-gamut colors:
  • Rendering intent applies
  • Relative: Shift to nearest
  • Perceptual: Compress range
  • Saturation: Maximize vividness
Result: All colors within CMYK gamut
5

5. Black Generation

For neutral/dark colors:
  • GCR or UCR applied
  • CMY replaced with K where appropriate
  • TAC reduced
Example:
C50 M50 Y50 K0  (240% TAC)
↓ (GCR applied)
C10 M10 Y10 K70  (100% TAC)
6

6. Special Handling

Black elements:
  • Automatic detection
  • Text → K100
  • Large shapes → Rich black
Spot colors (if enabled):
  • Mapped colors → Pantone
  • Separate plates created
7

7. PDF Generation

Final output:
  • All colors now CMYK
  • ICC profile embedded
  • Spot color plates (if used)
  • Color space: DeviceCMYK

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Gamut Mapping

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Understanding CMYK Gamut

RGB vs CMYK color range: 
RGB Gamut (Screen):
 ┌────────────────────┐
 │   Wider range      │
 │  ┌──────────────┐  │
 │  │ CMYK Gamut   │  │ Some RGB colors
 │  │ (Printable)  │  │ can't be printed
 │  └──────────────┘  │
 └────────────────────┘
Problem areas:
  • Bright blues: RGB brighter than CMYK
  • Vivid greens: RGB more saturated
  • Neon colors: Impossible in CMYK
  • Bright oranges/reds: Slight shift

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Out-of-Gamut Warning

Plugin shows warnings:
⚠️ 15 colors out of gamutThese RGB colors cannot be accurately reproduced in CMYK:
  • Bright blue (#00FFFF) - will be duller
  • Neon green (#00FF00) - will be less vibrant
  • …
Preview shows closest CMYK match
Options:
  1. Accept conversion - Use closest CMYK match
  2. Adjust design - Use CMYK-friendly colors
  3. Use spot colors - Add Pantone for critical hues

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TAC (Total Area Coverage)

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TAC Limits by Profile

Plugin enforces TAC limits:
ProfileTAC Limit
ISO Coated v2300%
FOGRA39300%
SWOP300%
GRACoL300%
PSO Uncoated260%
Japan Color350%

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TAC Calculation

Formula: 
TAC = C% + M% + Y% + K%
Examples: 
✓ C60 + M40 + Y40 + K100 = 240% (OK for 300% limit)
✓ C30 + M30 + Y30 + K100 = 190% (OK)
✗ C100 + M100 + Y100 + K100 = 400% (EXCEEDS 300%)

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Automatic TAC Control

Plugin automatically:
  • Calculates TAC for all colors
  • Reduces if exceeds limit
  • Applies GCR to lower total
  • Ensures compliance
What you see: 
Before: C80 M80 Y80 K50 (290% TAC) ✓
After GCR: C40 M40 Y40 K90 (210% TAC) ✓

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Color Accuracy

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Factors Affecting Accuracy

FactorImpactYour Control
ICC Profile choiceHigh✓ Select correct profile
Rendering intentMedium✓ Choose intent
Source colorsHigh✓ Design CMYK-friendly
Printer calibrationHigh✗ Printer’s responsibility
Paper typeMedium✓ Specify coated/uncoated
Monitor calibrationHigh✓ Calibrate if possible

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Improving Color Accuracy

1

1. Ask Your Printer

Get specifications:
  • Preferred ICC profile
  • TAC limit
  • Paper type
  • Special requirements
Why: Eliminates guesswork
2

2. Use Correct Profile

Match printer’s spec:
  • If US: SWOP or GRACoL
  • If Europe: ISO Coated v2
  • If custom: Upload their profile
Impact: Biggest accuracy factor
3

3. Order Physical Proof

Before full run:
  • $10-50 test print
  • Actual paper and ink
  • Verify colors in person
Adjust if needed, then proceed
4

4. Design CMYK-Friendly

Avoid problem colors:
  • Neon/fluorescent
  • Bright RGB blues
  • Extreme saturation
Use: CMYK color picker when designing

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Preview Before Converting

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Soft Proofing

See CMYK preview before exporting:
1

Enable Soft Proof

In plugin: “Preview CMYK Conversion” ✓
2

Side-by-Side Comparison

View:
  • Left: Original RGB
  • Right: Converted CMYK
Compare colors
3

Identify Issues

Look for:
  • Major color shifts
  • Loss of vibrance
  • Unexpected changes
4

Adjust if Needed

  • Change design colors
  • Try different profile
  • Add spot colors
  • Accept trade-offs

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Troubleshooting Color Conversion

Cause: RGB gamut larger than CMYKNormal: Some shift expectedSolutions:
  • Use CMYK-friendly colors in design
  • Try Perceptual rendering intent
  • Add spot colors for critical hues
  • Order proof to verify
Cause: Too much total inkPlugin action: Automatically reducesManual fix:
  • Enable GCR
  • Reduce rich black formula
  • Check dark colors
Verify: TAC ≤ profile limit
Cause: Black handling settingSolutions:
  • Text: Set to Pure Black (K100)
  • Backgrounds: Set to Rich Black
  • Check automatic mode enabled
Cause: Incorrect ICC profileFix:
  • Ask printer for profile name
  • Select correct profile
  • Re-export PDF
  • Verify with printer

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Color Conversion Checklist

Before exporting:
  • CMYK conversion enabled: Toggle ON
  • ICC profile selected: ISO Coated v2 or printer-specified
  • Rendering intent: Relative Colorimetric (usually)
  • Black generation: GCR enabled
  • Black handling: Automatic (text=K100, shapes=rich)
  • TAC compliance: ≤ 300% (or profile limit)
  • Spot colors configured: If using Pantone
  • Preview checked: Soft proof reviewed

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Learn More

ICC Profiles Guide

Choose the right profile

RGB vs CMYK

Deep dive into color models

Black Handling

Pure vs rich black

Spot Colors

Pantone and special inks
Pro Tip: 95% of projects work perfectly with: ISO Coated v2 + Relative Colorimetric + GCR + Automatic black handling!