What is CMYK printing and how does it affect my packaging colours?

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black) — the four ink colours used in standard process colour printing. Almost all full-colour printing (including packaging) uses CMYK as its foundation.

How CMYK works:
The press lays down tiny dots of each ink colour at different angles and densities. When viewed from a normal distance, these dots blend visually to create the full spectrum of colours your eye perceives.

CMYK vs RGB:
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the colour model used by screens. RGB has a wider gamut (range) than CMYK, which means some vivid screen colours (particularly bright blues and greens) cannot be perfectly reproduced in print. This is why it's critical to design packaging artwork in CMYK from the start, or convert properly from RGB before sending to print.

CMYK vs Pantone (Spot Colours):

• CMYK — built from four inks, good for photographic images and full-colour designs


• Pantone — a specific, standardised ink mix that guarantees exact colour reproduction across different presses and suppliers

For brand colours that must be consistent (your logo, key brand hues), specifying a Pantone reference ensures your packaging colour matches your other brand materials exactly.

Setting up your artwork for packaging print:
1. Work in CMYK colour mode (not RGB)
2. Set resolution to at least 300 DPI
3. Include 3mm bleed on all edges
4. Convert fonts to outlines
5. Specify Pantone colours for critical brand colours if using offset printing