Color Formats - RGB, CMYK, or Pantone?

Color gamut comparisons: 13oz Scrim = BLACK, SWOP CMYK = red, sRGB = purple

We accept RGB, CMYK, or vector files with Pantone named color equally well. Unlike many large format printers, we work best with Pantone colors that are not converted to RGB or CMYK, but instead are left as the named Pantone colors. This is only practical in vector files. Raster based files automatically convert named Pantone colors to the format (RGB or CMYK)  of the file.

If you’re in the process of creating a file, RGB and or Pantone named colors are the best choices. These will allow you to take greatest advantage of the color gamut our systems have to offer. If you like to work in an RGB space other than sRGB, let us know so we’re sure to handle your job correctly. At the very least, be sure your Working Space is embedding in your files since we check for this in every preflight. If there is no embedded profile, we’ll assume it is either sRGB or US Web Coated SWOP CMYK.

If the file already exists as CMYK, do not convert it to RGB. It is better left alone in the interest of minimizing the number of color conversions done in the overall workflow. Plus, to realize the potential benefit of RGB, the file must be created as RGB. Converting CMYK to RGB does not improve the color performance.