What does "out of gamut" mean?

"Out of gamut" means a colour cannot be accurately reproduced in standard CMYK process printing. Neon pink, bright lime green, and vivid cyan typically fall outside the CMYK gamut. On screen these look vibrant, but in print they will appear significantly duller. For these colours, a Pantone spot colour is required for accurate print reproduction.

What is a Pantone spot colour?

A Pantone spot colour is a pre-mixed ink from the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Unlike CMYK process printing which mixes four inks, spot colours are pre-mixed to a specific formula. They are not subject to CMYK gamut limitations and reproduce consistently across different printers and materials.

How do I convert RGB to CMYK correctly?

Use your design software's built-in colour conversion with a proper CMYK profile for your paper type (e.g., FOGRA39 for coated, PSO Uncoated for uncoated). Review the conversion manually - saturated cyans, greens, and purples are most likely to shift. Our reference helps you preview how specific colours will convert.

What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper?

Coated paper prevents ink from absorbing too deeply, resulting in sharper, more vibrant colours with higher contrast. Uncoated paper absorbs more ink, making colours appear 20-30% darker, duller, and warmer. Always request both coated and uncoated colour references from your printer.

Why do neon colours not print well?

Neon and fluorescent colours require special pigments that reflect UV light - impossible to reproduce with standard CMYK process inks. They require fluorescent spot inks (like Pantone Neon series) or extended gamut printing (like Hexachrome) to reproduce in print.

Print vs Digital Color Reference

Compare how 80+ colours render in CMYK print, sRGB digital, and Display P3 wide gamut. Each entry shows the CMYK values, sRGB hex and RGB, Pantone references (where available), gamut status, and practical notes about how the colour behaves across media. Filter by 12 colour categories, search by name or HEX, and copy CMYK or HEX values with one click. Fully private, 100% free, and no signup required.

Compare how 76 colours render across CMYK print, sRGB digital, and Display P3 wide gamut. Filter by colour family, search by name or HEX, and see which colours are safe for print and which exceed the CMYK gamut.

Showing 76 of 76 colours·62 in gamut6 near limit8 out of gamut

#D32F2F

Ruby Red

Pantone 186 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C15%

M95%

Y45%

K5%

sRGB

rgb(211, 47, 47)

Bright red stays vibrant in both media. Slightly more orange on uncoated paper.

#B71C1C

Crimson

Pantone 187 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C10%

M85%

Y40%

K15%

sRGB

rgb(183, 28, 28)

Deep crimson prints darker than on screen. Use uncoated paper reference for closer match.

#7B1FA2

Burgundy

Pantone 209 C

⚠ Near Limit

CMYK

C30%

M85%

Y50%

K40%

sRGB

rgb(123, 31, 162)

Burgundy's deep purple undertone can shift in print. Proof before production.

#C62828

Brick Red

Pantone 484 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C20%

M80%

Y65%

K20%

sRGB

rgb(198, 40, 40)

Earth red translates well between media. Expect slight darkening on coated stock.

#FF4081

Rose Pink

Pantone 1915 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M70%

Y20%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 64, 129)

Vibrant pink may lose punch in print due to CMYK gamut limits.

#FF00FF

Magenta

Pantone Process Magenta C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M100%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 0, 255)

Pure process magenta is achievable in CMYK. P3 shows brighter fluorescence.

#FF6D00

Vibrant Orange

Pantone 151 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M65%

Y90%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 109, 0)

Orange is well within CMYK gamut. Prints brighter than most screens display.

#E65100

Burnt Orange

Pantone 167 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C10%

M70%

Y80%

K10%

sRGB

rgb(230, 81, 0)

Deep orange may appear duller in print. Consider adding a spot colour.

#FFAB00

Amber

Pantone 123 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M40%

Y85%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 171, 0)

Warm amber is one of the most reliable CMYK-to-digital colours.

#FFD600

Sunflower Yellow

Pantone 109 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M20%

Y90%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 214, 0)

Bright yellow is achievable in CMYK. Screen appears more luminous.

#C7A241

Gold Metallic

Pantone 871 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C15%

M40%

Y80%

K25%

sRGB

rgb(199, 162, 65)

Metallic gold cannot be reproduced with CMYK alone. Requires metallic spot ink.

#FFF9C4

Pale Yellow

Pantone 600 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M5%

Y40%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 249, 196)

Light tints are vulnerable to being lost on uncoated paper.

#2E7D32

Emerald Green

Pantone 356 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C70%

M0%

Y70%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(46, 125, 50)

Rich green is well within CMYK range. May appear slightly more blue on screen.

#1B5E20

Forest Green

Pantone 343 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C70%

M20%

Y80%

K20%

sRGB

rgb(27, 94, 32)

Dark green can appear muddy in print due to black ink mixing.

#76FF03

Lime Green

Pantone 382 C

✗ Out of Gamut

CMYK

C30%

M0%

Y80%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(118, 255, 3)

Neon greens exceed CMYK gamut. Design in CMYK mode for print.

#8BC34A

Sage Green

Pantone 577 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C25%

M10%

Y35%

K15%

sRGB

rgb(139, 195, 74)

Muted green is very reliable across media. Safe choice for cross-medium identity.

#00796B

Teal

Pantone 3282 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C80%

M0%

Y40%

K10%

sRGB

rgb(0, 121, 107)

Teal is well within CMYK gamut. May appear more blue-green on uncoated stock.

#689F38

Olive Green

Pantone 575 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C35%

M25%

Y65%

K25%

sRGB

rgb(104, 159, 56)

Olive tones have good cross-medium consistency. Best for earthy brands.

#1565C0

Royal Blue

Pantone 286 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C85%

M60%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(21, 101, 192)

Strong blue is achievable in CMYK. Appears slightly purer on screen.

#0D47A1

Navy Blue

Pantone 294 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C90%

M70%

Y20%

K40%

sRGB

rgb(13, 71, 161)

Navy may appear very dark in print. Check density on press.

#42A5F5

Sky Blue

Pantone 298 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C40%

M10%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(66, 165, 245)

Sky blue translates well. Can appear slightly greener in print.

#1976D2

Cobalt Blue

Pantone 301 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C80%

M50%

Y0%

K10%

sRGB

rgb(25, 118, 210)

Cobalt is a reliable cross-medium blue. Slightly more violet on coated stock.

#00BCD4

Cyan

Pantone Process Cyan C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C100%

M0%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(0, 188, 212)

Pure process cyan is the base of CMYK printing. P3 can render wider cyan shades.

#283593

Indigo

Pantone 2118 C

⚠ Near Limit

CMYK

C80%

M85%

Y0%

K25%

sRGB

rgb(40, 53, 147)

Indigo pushes CMYK limits. Screen blues are noticeably more vibrant.

#7B1FA2

Violet

Pantone 259 C

⚠ Near Limit

CMYK

C70%

M90%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(123, 31, 162)

Violet is near the edge of CMYK gamut. Expect noticeable shift in print.

#CE93D8

Lavender

Pantone 256 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C20%

M40%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(206, 147, 216)

Light purple tints are safe for print. May appear slightly grey on uncoated.

#6A1B9A

Plum

Pantone 2597 C

⚠ Near Limit

CMYK

C50%

M80%

Y10%

K30%

sRGB

rgb(106, 27, 154)

Deep purple is difficult in CMYK. Consider adding spot violet for accuracy.

#4A148C

Deep Purple

Pantone 2592 C

✗ Out of Gamut

CMYK

C85%

M90%

Y0%

K30%

sRGB

rgb(74, 20, 140)

Very dark purple exceeds typical CMYK gamut. Screen display is much richer.

#5D4037

Chocolate Brown

Pantone 4975 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C40%

M70%

Y80%

K40%

sRGB

rgb(93, 64, 55)

Browns are generally reliable in print. Black undertones may shift.

#D7CCC8

Tan

Pantone 4755 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C15%

M30%

Y45%

K5%

sRGB

rgb(215, 204, 200)

Warm neutrals are easy to match. Uncoated stock will appear warmer.

#424242

Charcoal Grey

Pantone Cool Grey 11 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M0%

Y0%

K70%

sRGB

rgb(66, 66, 66)

Grey tones are 100% reliable. Watch for colour cast in mixed CMYK greys.

#F5F5DC

Beige

Pantone 7501 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C5%

M10%

Y20%

K5%

sRGB

rgb(245, 245, 220)

Light beige can appear pinkish in print if magenta balance is off.

#795548

Coffee Brown

Pantone 4705 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C30%

M55%

Y70%

K30%

sRGB

rgb(121, 85, 72)

Coffee brown is consistent across media. Slightly more red on coated paper.

#546E7A

Slate Grey

Pantone 424 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C30%

M15%

Y10%

K40%

sRGB

rgb(84, 110, 122)

Slate grey is dependable. Cool undertone is best achieved with cyan in the mix.

#FF7043

Coral

Pantone 163 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M55%

Y45%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 112, 67)

Coral maintains its character well in print. Expect slightly less saturation.

#FFCCBC

Peach

Pantone 489 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M30%

Y35%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 204, 188)

Peach tints are safe. May appear slightly more pink on uncoated paper.

#BF360C

Terracotta

Pantone 1675 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C20%

M65%

Y70%

K15%

sRGB

rgb(191, 54, 12)

Earthy terracotta is predictable. Best on natural or uncoated paper.

#F9A825

Mustard Yellow

Pantone 130 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C10%

M35%

Y75%

K5%

sRGB

rgb(249, 168, 37)

Mustard is reliable. More subdued in print vs screen.

#FF8A65

Salmon

Pantone 164 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M45%

Y40%

K10%

sRGB

rgb(255, 138, 101)

Salmon pink-orange translates well. Slightly more peachy on uncoated stock.

#A84325

Rust

Pantone 160 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C25%

M75%

Y80%

K25%

sRGB

rgb(168, 67, 37)

Rust tones are stable. Slightly darker in print due to black ink component.

#E3F2FD

Ice Blue

Pantone 656 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C15%

M0%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(227, 242, 253)

Very light blue tints may disappear on uncoated paper.

#455A64

Steel Blue

Pantone 430 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C60%

M30%

Y10%

K10%

sRGB

rgb(69, 90, 100)

Steel blue is consistent. Greys with blue undertone print reliably.

#A5D6A7

Mint

Pantone 351 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C40%

M0%

Y30%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(165, 214, 167)

Mint green retains freshness in print. Very consistent across coated stocks.

#00BCD4

Turquoise

Pantone 321 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C65%

M0%

Y25%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(0, 188, 212)

Turquoise is achievable but screen appears significantly brighter.

#9FA8DA

Periwinkle

Pantone 272 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C30%

M20%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(159, 168, 218)

Blue-lavender works in both media. Slightly more grey in print.

#80DEEA

Aquamarine

Pantone 319 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C45%

M0%

Y15%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(128, 222, 234)

Aqua tones are reasonably consistent. Digital displays show more vibrancy.

#ED1C16

Coca-Cola Red

Pantone 186 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M100%

Y70%

K10%

sRGB

rgb(237, 28, 22)

Iconic red uses heavy magenta. Reproducible but requires careful press control.

#00704A

Starbucks Green

Pantone 3425 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C90%

M0%

Y80%

K5%

sRGB

rgb(0, 112, 74)

Deep green works in both print and digital. Slightly lighter on uncoated.

#0ABAB5

Tiffany Blue

Pantone 1837 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C55%

M0%

Y15%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(10, 186, 181)

Famous robin's-egg blue is achievable in CMYK. Pantone exact match available.

#4A2C1B

UPS Brown

Pantone 4625 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C35%

M60%

Y75%

K55%

sRGB

rgb(74, 44, 27)

Warm brown can be matched. Appears very dark in digital due to high K value.

#0530AD

IBM Blue

Pantone 286 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C100%

M60%

Y0%

K5%

sRGB

rgb(5, 48, 173)

Deep corporate blue is reliable. Digital shows more vivid saturation.

#FF6B35

Hermès Orange

Pantone 165 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M65%

Y95%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 107, 53)

Signature orange is print-friendly. Brand uses exact Pantone match on packaging.

#FFC72C

McDonald's Yellow

Pantone 123 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M15%

Y95%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 199, 44)

Yellow golden arches are reproducible. Screen appears noticeably brighter.

#4285F4

Google Blue

Pantone 660 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C65%

M20%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(66, 133, 244)

Google blue is within CMYK gamut. Digital displays show more vivid hue.

#1DB954

Spotify Green

Pantone 356 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C50%

M0%

Y70%

K10%

sRGB

rgb(29, 185, 84)

Spotify green is achievable. Slightly more muted on uncoated paper.

#E50914

Netflix Red

Pantone 186 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M95%

Y70%

K5%

sRGB

rgb(229, 9, 20)

Netflix red is strong in both media. Black deepens the red in print.

#FF1493

Neon Pink

Pantone 213 C

✗ Out of Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M100%

Y30%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 20, 147)

Neon pink cannot be printed in CMYK. Requires fluorescent spot ink.

#A2FF00

Bright Lime

Wide Gamut & P3

✗ Out of Gamut

CMYK

C25%

M0%

Y90%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(162, 255, 0)

Vibrant lime green far exceeds CMYK. Only achievable on wide-gamut displays.

#00E5FF

Vibrant Cyan-Blue

Pantone 311 C

✗ Out of Gamut

CMYK

C80%

M0%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(0, 229, 255)

Electric cyan exceeds CMYK. P3 displays show a much wider range of this tone.

#8E24AA

Deep Violaceous

Pantone 2597 C

✗ Out of Gamut

CMYK

C70%

M90%

Y0%

K10%

sRGB

rgb(142, 36, 170)

Deep violet exceeds CMYK. P3 displays show richer purple tones.

#FF3D00

Fluorescent Orange

Pantone 172 C

✗ Out of Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M75%

Y0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 61, 0)

Safety orange is too vivid for CMYK. Fluorescent spot ink required for print.

#E91E63

Vivid Magenta

Pantone 1925 C

⚠ Near Limit

CMYK

C0%

M100%

Y0%

K10%

sRGB

rgb(233, 30, 99)

Magenta is near CMYK limits. P3 shows a much more vibrant version.

#00BFFF

Deep Sky Blue

Pantone 2985 C

✗ Out of Gamut

CMYK

C60%

M0%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(0, 191, 255)

Bright sky blue exceeds CMYK. Only wide-gamut monitors can display this.

#FF69B4

Hot Pink

Pantone 212 C

⚠ Near Limit

CMYK

C0%

M90%

Y10%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 105, 180)

Hot pink is near CMYK edges. Acceptable but less vibrant in print.

#FAD2B3

Fair / Light

Pantone 489 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C5%

M15%

Y15%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(250, 210, 179)

Light skin tones are reproducible. Watch for green cast in mixed CMYK.

#D4A574

Medium / Olive

Pantone 750 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C15%

M35%

Y35%

K5%

sRGB

rgb(212, 165, 116)

Olive tones are consistent. Yellow undertones print reliably on coated stock.

#A67B5B

Tan / Brown

Pantone 479 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C25%

M45%

Y50%

K15%

sRGB

rgb(166, 123, 91)

Warm brown skin tones print well. Red component ensures natural appearance.

#6B4226

Dark / Deep

Pantone 497 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C35%

M55%

Y55%

K35%

sRGB

rgb(107, 66, 38)

Deep skin tones can appear muddy. Ensure good colour separation in shadows.

#F5C5B3

Rosy / Pink

Pantone 692 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M25%

Y15%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(245, 197, 179)

Rosy undertones are safe. Pinkish cast is natural and reproduces well.

#DDBC95

Neutral Tan

Pantone 466 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C10%

M25%

Y25%

K5%

sRGB

rgb(221, 188, 149)

Neutral skin is one of the safest cross-medium colours.

#F8BBD0

Pastel Pink

Pantone 182 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M15%

Y5%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(248, 187, 208)

Pastel pink is easy to match. Slightly more opaque on uncoated paper.

#BBDEFB

Pastel Blue

Pantone 656 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C15%

M5%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(187, 222, 251)

Pastel blue prints reliably. Can appear more grey if cyan is low.

#C8E6C9

Pastel Green

Pantone 351 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C15%

M0%

Y15%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(200, 230, 201)

Light green is very safe. Pastels on uncoated stock need slightly more saturation.

#FFF9C4

Pastel Yellow

Pantone 600 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M0%

Y20%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(255, 249, 196)

Pastel yellow may be nearly invisible on uncoated paper. Increase magenta slightly.

#E1BEE7

Pastel Lavender

Pantone 263 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C10%

M20%

Y0%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(225, 190, 231)

Lavender pastel is consistent. Maintains purple undertone well in print.

#F8C7C3

Pastel Coral

Pantone 691 C

✓ In Gamut

CMYK

C0%

M25%

Y20%

K0%

sRGB

rgb(248, 199, 195)

Coral pastel translates well. Slight yellow shift on uncoated paper.

Understanding gamut: Colours marked In Gamut can be accurately reproduced in standard CMYK print. Near Limit colours may vary between printers - a Pantone spot colour is recommended for accuracy. Out of Gamut colours cannot be reproduced in CMYK and will appear significantly different in print vs on screen. Display P3 and wide-gamut monitors can show a wider range than sRGB.

Why Use Our Print vs Digital Color Reference?

CMYK, sRGB, Pantone & P3 Comparison in One View

Every colour in the reference shows its full cross-media profile: CMYK values (C, M, Y, K percentages), sRGB hex and RGB values, Pantone matching system reference (where available), and Display P3 gamut status. See exactly how any colour translates between print and digital at a glance.

12 Curated Colour Categories

Browse colours organized into 12 categories - Reds & Pinks, Oranges & Yellows, Greens, Blues, Purples, Browns & Neutrals, Warm Tones, Cool Tones, Brand & Signature Colours, Wide Gamut & P3, Skin Tones, and Pastels. Each category makes it easy to find the colour family you need.

Instant Search & Filter

Search by colour name, HEX value, or Pantone number to find specific colours instantly. Filter by category to browse related colours. The results update in real time as you type, with gamut statistics showing how many colours are in, near, or out of CMYK gamut.

Practical Print-to-Digital Guidance

Each colour includes a practical note explaining how it behaves across media - whether it darkens in print, shifts hue on uncoated paper, exceeds CMYK limits, or requires a spot colour. The gamut badges (In Gamut, Near Limit, Out of Gamut) provide instant readability assessment.

Common Use Cases for Print vs Digital Color Reference

Print Design & Production

Print designers use the Print vs Digital Color Reference to predict how digital colours will look when printed. Check CMYK values, review gamut status, and read practical notes about how colours behave on coated vs uncoated paper before sending files to the printer.

Web-to-Print Colour Matching

Designers creating both web and print materials use this reference to select colours that work in both media. Avoid costly surprises by choosing colours marked "In Gamut" for reliable cross-medium reproduction in brand guidelines and marketing materials.

Brand Identity Development

Brand designers use the reference when selecting primary and secondary brand colours. Understand which colours will remain consistent across business cards, websites, packaging, and social media - and which will need Pantone spot colours for accuracy.

Design Software Colour Conversion

When converting designs between colour modes (RGB to CMYK) in design software, cross-reference the expected output here. The reference helps you anticipate how colours will shift and adjust your design before conversion.

Packaging & Product Design

Packaging designers use the reference to select colours that will reproduce consistently across different print processes - flexography, offset, and digital printing. The Pantone references help specify exact spot colours for manufacturing.

Design Education & Learning

Design students and educators use the reference to understand colour theory across media. See real examples of how CMYK values map to sRGB, learn about gamut limitations, and develop an intuition for print-to-digital colour behaviour.

Understanding Print vs Digital Color

What Is the Difference Between Print and Digital Colour?

Print and digital devices use fundamentally different colour models. Digital displays (monitors, phones, tablets) use the RGB colour model - Red, Green, and Blue light added together to create colours. Print uses the CMYK colour model - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black) inks subtracted from white paper. This fundamental difference means the same colour values will render differently on screen vs on paper. Additionally, Display P3 is a wider colour space used by Apple and other modern displays that can show more vibrant colours than the standard sRGB space used on the web. Our Print vs Digital Color Reference helps you navigate these differences with practical, real-world colour comparisons.

How to Read the Print vs Digital Color Reference

The Colour Swatch: Shows the sRGB equivalent of the CMYK colour value, giving you an approximate preview of how the colour will appear on screen.
CMYK Values: The C, M, Y, and K percentages needed to reproduce the colour in 4-colour process printing. These are the values you would enter in your design software.
sRGB Values: The hex and RGB values for digital use. These show how the colour appears on a standard sRGB monitor - the web standard colour space.
Gamut Badge: Indicates whether the colour is achievable in CMYK print (In Gamut), at the edge of the gamut where results may vary (Near Limit), or impossible to reproduce in CMYK (Out of Gamut).
Pantone Reference: Where available, the closest Pantone Matching System (PMS) colour for accurate spot colour printing.

Understanding Colour Gamuts: CMYK vs sRGB vs Display P3

A colour gamut is the range of colours a device can reproduce. CMYK has the smallest gamut - many vibrant colours, especially bright greens, cyans, and purples, cannot be printed with standard process inks. sRGB has a wider gamut than CMYK and is the standard for the web. Display P3 (used by Apple, Samsung, and other modern displays) has a wider gamut than sRGB, particularly in the red-green range. This means that colours that look vibrant on your MacBook or iPhone screen may appear dull or different when printed or viewed on a standard sRGB monitor. The reference marks colours as Out of Gamut for CMYK when they exceed what process printing can reproduce.

Tips for Cross-Media Colour Management

Design in CMYK mode for print: If you are designing something that will be printed, start in CMYK colour mode in your design software. Designing in RGB and converting to CMYK later will often produce unexpected shifts.
Use Pantone spot colours for accuracy: For brand colours marked "Near Limit" or "Out of Gamut", specify a Pantone spot colour when printing. Spot colours use pre-mixed ink and are not subject to CMYK gamut limitations.
Always proof before production: Even with accurate colour references, every printer and paper combination produces different results. Always request a physical proof for critical print jobs and adjust colours based on the proof.
Consider uncoated vs coated paper: Uncoated paper absorbs more ink, making colours appear darker, duller, and slightly warmer. If your design will be printed on uncoated stock, expect colours to shift and adjust your CMYK values accordingly.

Related Print & Digital Colour Tools

CMYK to RGB Converter

Convert CMYK values to RGB and HEX for digital design use. Adjust channels with precision sliders and get instant HEX/HSL values with live colour preview.

HEX to CMYK Converter

Convert HEX color codes to CMYK values for print design. Shows colour preview and nearest Pantone suggestion. Supports #RGB and #RRGGBB formats.

Pantone to HEX Converter

Convert Pantone PMS references to approximate HEX and RGB/HSL values for digital design. Search by code, name, or HEX value.

CSS Named Colors Reference

Search, filter, and copy all 148 CSS named colors with HEX, RGB, and HSL values. Filter by 12 color families and copy with one click.

Frequently Asked Questions About Print vs Digital Color

Colours look different because screens use additive colour (RGB - Red, Green, Blue light) while print uses subtractive colour (CMYK - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black ink). Screens emit light to create colours, while print reflects light off paper through ink layers. Additionally, screens can display a wider range of colours (gamut) than CMYK printing can reproduce. Even the same CMYK values will look different on coated vs uncoated paper, under different lighting conditions, and on different printers.

"Out of gamut" means a colour is outside the range that can be reproduced in a specific colour space. In our reference, it means the colour cannot be accurately reproduced in standard CMYK process printing. Colours like neon pink, bright lime green, and vivid cyan typically fall outside the CMYK gamut. On screen, these colours look vibrant and saturated, but in print they will appear significantly duller or shift to a different hue entirely. For these colours, a Pantone spot colour is required for accurate print reproduction.

sRGB (standard Red Green Blue) is the standard colour space for the web, used by most monitors and all web browsers. Display P3 is a wider colour space developed by Apple that can display about 25% more colours than sRGB, particularly in the red, orange, green, and cyan ranges. Modern devices like MacBooks, iPads, iPhones, and some Android phones support P3. Our reference marks which colours are in-gamut for sRGB and which approach the limits of the wider P3 space.

A Pantone spot colour is a pre-mixed ink colour from the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Unlike CMYK, which mixes four standard inks to create colours, spot colours are pre-mixed to a specific formula. This means they are not subject to CMYK gamut limitations and will reproduce consistently across different printers and materials. Use a Pantone spot colour when: your brand colour is "Near Limit" or "Out of Gamut" in CMYK, you need exact colour consistency across different print materials, or you are printing with only 1-2 colours.

Neon and fluorescent colours contain pigments that reflect UV light and emit visible light, creating a glow effect that is impossible to reproduce with standard CMYK process inks. The brightest CMYK can achieve is limited by the four standard ink colours - cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Fluorescent colours require special fluorescent spot inks (like Pantone Neon series) or extended gamut printing (like Hexachrome) to reproduce in print. On screen, these colours appear vibrant because displays can emit light at the required wavelengths.

To convert RGB to CMYK correctly: 1) Use your design software's built-in colour conversion (e.g., Adobe InDesign's Edit > Convert to Profile with a proper CMYK profile like FOGRA39 or GRACoL2006), 2) Choose the correct CMYK profile for your paper type (coated vs uncoated), 3) Review the conversion manually - saturated cyans, greens, and purples are most likely to shift, 4) Use our Print vs Digital Color Reference to preview how specific colours will convert before committing to the conversion.

Coated paper has a surface coating that prevents ink from absorbing too deeply, resulting in sharper, more vibrant colours with higher contrast. Uncoated paper absorbs more ink, which spreads the ink dots and makes colours appear darker, duller, warmer, and less saturated. A CMYK colour that looks bright on coated paper may appear 20-30% darker on uncoated paper. Always request both coated and uncoated colour references from your printer, and design with the paper type in mind from the start.

Yes. The Print vs Digital Color Reference is 100% free with no signup required, no premium features, and no usage limits. Browse all colour categories, search by colour name or HEX value, and reference the CMYK/Pantone data as many times as you need for your design and production projects.