Why Working in the Right Colour Space Matters
If your colours look off when printed or appear strange on someone else’s screen, you’ve probably ignored colour space. Want to avoid that? Follow along. Or don’t—it’s entirely up to you.
What’s a Colour Space, and Why Should You Care?
A colour space is the range of colours your devices—camera, monitor, printer—can display or reproduce. Think of it as a map for colours. If you’re not using the right one, your colours get lost somewhere along the way. Here are the main ones you need to know:
• sRGB: Standard for web. Limited range, but universally supported.
• Adobe RGB: A wider colour space, ideal for editing and printing. Keeps more colour data intact.
• ProPhoto RGB: Massive colour space, great for RAW editing but impractical for most final outputs.
• CMYK: The printer’s language. It’s an ink-based colour space (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) with fewer colours than RGB.
The simple rule: work in Adobe RGB throughout your editing process. Only convert to sRGB (for web) or CMYK (for print) at the very end. Why? Because you’ll keep the most colour information for as long as possible. Convert too early, and you’re limiting your options.
Why Adobe RGB Should Be Your Default
1. It Captures More Colours
Adobe RGB includes a wider range of colours compared to sRGB, especially in greens and blues. This means smoother gradients, richer tones, and more flexibility for editing.
2. It Gives You Flexibility
By working in Adobe RGB, you can easily convert your files to sRGB (for web) or CMYK (for print) at the very end. If you start with sRGB, you’re cutting out colour information from the start.
3. It Simplifies Printing
Printers use CMYK, and Adobe RGB aligns more closely with CMYK than sRGB does. This makes it easier to convert your file for printing without significant colour shifts.
Why Convert to CMYK at the End?
CMYK is the colour space used for printing. Unlike RGB, which uses light to create colours, CMYK uses inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) to absorb light. This difference means CMYK has a much smaller range of colours.
If you convert to CMYK too early:
• You lock your file into CMYK’s limited range, throwing away extra colour data.
• It becomes harder to make precise adjustments during editing.
By keeping your file in Adobe RGB until the very end:
• You retain the full range of colours while editing.
• You can preview (soft proof) how your image will look in CMYK before committing.
• You minimise colour degradation until it’s time to print.
How to Work in the Right Colour Space (Step by Step)
1. Start in Adobe RGB
Set your camera to Adobe RGB, and configure your editing software to use Adobe RGB as the default working space.
• In Photoshop:
1. Go to Edit > Colour Settings.
2. Under Working Spaces, select Adobe RGB (1998).
3. Save the settings.
2. Edit in Adobe RGB
Keep your file in Adobe RGB throughout your workflow. This ensures you’re working with the best possible colour data.
3. Convert for Output
Once your edits are complete:
• For Web: Convert to sRGB.
• Go to Edit > Convert to Profile, select sRGB, and save your file.
• For Print: Convert to CMYK.
• Go to Edit > Convert to Profile, choose the CMYK profile provided by your printer, and save a separate file. Keep the original Adobe RGB version untouched.
Soft Proofing: See What Your Print Will Look Like
Soft proofing lets you preview how your image will look in CMYK without actually converting it. It’s a lifesaver for avoiding unexpected colour shifts.
1. In Photoshop, go to View > Proof Setup > Custom.
2. Select your printer’s ICC profile (ask them for it if you don’t already have it).
3. Enable Gamut Warning to see which colours won’t translate well to CMYK. Adjust those areas if necessary.
Monitor Calibration: Don’t Skip This Step
Even if you’re working in Adobe RGB, none of it matters if your monitor isn’t calibrated. An uncalibrated screen won’t display true colours, leaving you guessing.
How to Calibrate Your Monitor
• Use tools like X-Rite i1Display or SpyderX to calibrate your monitor.
• Recalibrate every month or so to keep things accurate.
Recommended Monitors
• Eizo ColorEdge: Top-tier monitors that come factory-calibrated and support wide gamuts like Adobe RGB.
• BenQ SW Series: A brilliant choice for creatives on a budget.
• Dell UltraSharp: Affordable, reliable, and good for most editing needs.
If you’re using a random, uncalibrated monitor, don’t expect your colours to look right. That’s on you.
TL;DR
1. Work in Adobe RGB throughout your workflow.
2. Convert to sRGB for web or CMYK for print only at the end.
3. Calibrate your monitor. Get a proper one if you’re serious about your work.
4. Use soft proofing to preview how your prints will look.
There you go. Follow these steps, or don’t—it’s your work. But if you want your colours to look how you actually intended, this is the way to do it.
