RGB belongs to emitted light
Screens create colour with red, green and blue light. Some bright colours visible on a display cannot be reproduced with standard process inks. Converting at the end can produce dull or unexpected results.
CMYK builds colour from four inks
Cyan, magenta, yellow and black are printed as halftone combinations. CMYK is flexible for photography and multi-colour work, but exact results vary with profile, press and stock.
Pantone specifies a spot-colour target
A spot ink can achieve colours outside a standard CMYK gamut and improve consistency for key brand elements. Coated and uncoated references differ because the same ink appears different on each surface.
Paper is part of the colour
Warm ivory, bright white, recycled grey and coloured papers all influence transparent ink. Lamination and varnish can deepen or shift the visual result.
Approve the right kind of proof
A calibrated digital proof is useful for process colour, while a drawdown or press proof may be needed for a custom spot ink. Approve under controlled light and keep a signed physical reference for reorders.