CMYK vs Pantone answers why your brand colour sometimes shifts in print. They are two different ways to make colour, and which you choose decides consistency.What is CMYK?CMYK makes colour by mixing four process inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) as dots. Most full-colour print is CMYK; it’s economical but can’t reproduce every colour exactly — vivid oranges, greens and corporate blues especially shift.What is Pantone (spot colour)?Pantone is a single pre-mixed ink. Each Pantone code prints the same every time; ideal when a brand colour must hold exactly (logo, corporate identity). It costs more due to the extra plate.When to use whichPhotos / multi-colour imagery: CMYK.Logo / fixed brand colour: Pantone (or CMYK + Pantone on the critical colour).Tight budget, low volume: CMYK (digital print).In our experience the most common complaint is “my logo blue faded in print”; the cause is almost always a brand colour defined only in CMYK. Adding its Pantone equivalent to your brand guide solves it up front.ICC profiles and proofsThe right ICC profile (e.g. FOGRA for coated) narrows the screen-to-print gap. The most reliable method is a pre-print colour proof — always request one on critical jobs. For file setup, see our print file setup guide.Next stepIf your brand colour must hold in print, let’s set the right CMYK/Pantone mix together. Request a colour proof. Terms in our glossary.Ömer Faruk Ceylandağ · Ceylan Ofset — colour management and printing, Samsun.