Why did my digital proof look brighter than the printed sticker?

Screens show colors in RGB, which uses light, while stickers are printed in CMYK, which uses ink. Ink can't reach the same brightness as a backlit screen, so printed colors can look slightly less bright.

Proof vs print colors

The difference comes from how screens and printers make colors.

Light vs ink

Screens use RGB (Red, Green, Blue). They mix light, which can show a wider range of bright colors.
Printed stickers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black). They mix ink, which gives slightly less bright colors and can vary a little from what you see on screen.

That's why a digital proof shows colors as an approximation. Knowing this helps you set realistic expectations for the printed result. We reproduce your design as accurately as CMYK allows, for example on Vinyl, Holographic or Brushed Aluminum.

How to get closer to the printed result

Design in CMYK, or convert before upload. See how to prepare your files for CMYK printing.
Avoid very bright RGB colors that CMYK can't reach.
Read the difference between RGB and CMYK.

If you're concerned about colors or need help with color matching, contact our support team.