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

Screens show colours 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 colours can look slightly less bright.

Proof vs print colours

The difference comes from how screens and printers make colours.

Light vs ink

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

That's why a digital proof shows colours 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 Aluminium.

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 colours that CMYK can't reach.
Read the difference between RGB and CMYK.

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