Pantone, RGB and CMYK: Understanding Color Systems in Screen Printing

If you’ve ever sent us a logo file and wondered why we asked about “Pantone codes” instead of just using the colors on your screen, you’re not alone. Color can be one of the most confusing parts of preparing artwork for screen printing — but understanding the basics will help you get exactly the result you’re after, every time.

RGB: The Color of Light

RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue. It’s the color system used by screens — phones, computers, TVs, and cameras all create color by mixing light in these three channels. RGB colors are vibrant, glow on their own, and can produce a huge range of bright, luminous tones.

The catch? RGB is a light-based system, and screen printing is a physical, ink-based process. A bright neon blue that looks stunning on your monitor may simply not be achievable with ink on fabric. If you send us a design file in RGB, we’ll convert it — but the result may shift slightly from what you see on screen.

CMYK: The Color of Print

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key/Black) is the standard color model for printed materials like brochures, packaging, and posters. It works by layering translucent inks to create a wide spectrum of colors through a halftone or four-color process.

While CMYK is excellent for full-color printed materials, it’s less common in traditional screen printing because each color in CMYK is actually a blend of inks, which is difficult to replicate consistently with opaque screen printing inks — especially on dark or colored garments.

Pantone: The Language of Exact Color

This is where Pantone comes in — and why it matters so much for your project. The Pantone Matching System (PMS) assigns a specific number to a specific, pre-mixed ink color. Pantone 286 C, for example, is always the same shade of blue, no matter who prints it or where.

For screen printing, this is incredibly valuable. Instead of trying to recreate a color from a screen image (which varies between devices), we mix ink to match an exact Pantone code. This means:

- Your brand colors stay consistent across every order, every time

- We can match colors precisely, even years apart

- There’s no ambiguity between what you imagined and what gets printed

What This Means for Your Order

When we prepare your digital proof, we’ll always confirm the Pantone Coated colors for your design before printing. If you already have brand guidelines with Pantone codes listed, send them along — it makes the process faster and ensures your prints match your brand perfectly.

If you don’t have Pantone codes yet, don’t worry. We can help match your logo or design to the closest equivalent, so your merchandise looks professional and consistent.

Get in Touch

Have questions about preparing your artwork, or want to know which file formats work best (we recommend PDF or EPS)? We’re happy to help.

Email us at info@malmoprinting.se, or visit us in person at Stora Nygatan 24, Malmö. Our shop is open Monday to Friday, 9:00–16:00 — come by and we’ll walk you through your project together.