Procreate Colors Look Different After Export or Print

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Choose the right profile when you create the canvas

   Copy steps
   1. Create a custom canvas and pick sRGB for web and screens
   2. Do not rely on the CMYK profile for print files
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Convert for print in Photoshop or another editor

   Copy steps
   1. Export a PSD or PNG
   2. Convert to the printer's CMYK profile in Photoshop and soft-proof before printing
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Check printer settings

   Copy steps
   1. Let the editing app manage color
   2. Choose the profile for your printer and paper
   3. Turn off the driver's own color adjustments
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Exported images look dark or washed out, or prints are duller than the screen.

Why it happens

• Display P3 colors shown on other monitors
• CMYK gamut is smaller than RGB so bright colors cannot print
• Procreate's CMYK profile imitates CMYK and opens as RGB in Photoshop
• Printer driver color adjustments

This guide also covers

• procreate colors look different
• procreate cmyk not working
• procreate export colors dull
• procreate print colors

Other Procreate errors

• Apple Pencil Not Working in Procreate
• Apple Pencil Lag in Procreate
• Procreate Keeps Crashing on iPad
• Procreate Frozen or Not Responding
• Procreate Brushes Not Importing or Missing
• Procreate Lost Artwork: Recover Deleted or Missing Files
• Procreate Maximum Layers Reached
• Procreate Export Problems: PSD, PNG and Photoshop Not Opening