CMYK Preview (Print Simulation)

Simulate on screen the approximate look of your image once converted to CMYK (cyan/magenta/yellow/black), the colors used by printers, before sending it to a print shop.

A lower limit darkens the dark/saturated areas less.

How it works

Screens display colors in RGB (red, green, blue) by adding light, while printing usually uses four CMYK inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) by subtraction. This tool converts each pixel into an approximate CMYK value using a standard formula, applies under-color removal (UCR) and quantization by ink levels (like a print halftone), then converts the result back to RGB for display — giving a preview of the gamut compression and darkening typical of CMYK printing.

Why isn't this a real professional CMYK conversion?

A real CMYK separation for printing uses an ICC profile specific to the printer, paper and ink (for example an ISO Coated or US Web Coated profile), which takes into account precise calibration curves unique to each machine. This simulation uses a generic formula, without an ICC profile, only for indicative purposes to spot colors that may lose vibrancy or shift once printed (especially highly saturated blues and greens).

What is the total ink limit used for?

In real printing, the total amount of ink deposited on paper is capped (often around 300%) to prevent the paper from getting soaked. Lowering this slider simulates a lower cap, which slightly lightens the darkest and most saturated areas of the preview.

100% local processing: the simulation is calculated pixel by pixel directly in your browser — your image is never sent to a server.