Should Illustrator be set to CMYK or RGB mode when using Pantone colors? Thanks in advance!
CMYK.
The Pantone matching system is a print production ink system. Print production always uses CMYK as a basis. Pantone colors have absolutely no basis in the RGB spectrum.
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I am working with this Green Neon Pantone color: 802 C. In RGB color Mode It looks the way I like it to be printed. thefinalbossdinorpg.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/…. But when I change to CMYK color mode the Pantone color looks opaque thefinalbossdinorpg.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/… . What should I do? – Seph1603 Nov 20 '14 at 1:31
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3... and that's why you need to use CMYK mode. RGB mode is not realistic where Pantone colors are concerned. – Scott Nov 20 '14 at 1:34
When doing anything for print, you should use CMYK. RGB colors have a much wider gamut, so what you see on screen might look more vibrant, but it won't print that way, especially when directly translating a print-only color model to a screen-only color model. Even software-performed RGB -> CMYK and the reverse can be iffy sometimes.
You also have to take into account that CMYK colors will look comparatively dull on a monitor to anything else on screen because of the color gamut difference; on a printed product, the audience will only be seeing colors within the CMYK spectrum, so it won't be out of place or expectation.
