Key points at a glance
- Check provider requirements.
- Avoid blind colour conversion.
- Inspect charts in the final PDF.
Understand the practical difference
RGB describes screen colours and CMYK common print inks. PDFs may contain several colour spaces and embedded profiles; a screen shade is not an exact print promise. The provider’s workflow and the clarity of your information matter most.
Convert only for a reason
Example: A bright blue chart key looks dull after an unsuitable conversion. Check the required PDF format and profile before changing every graphic to CMYK. If a provider manages RGB conversion, doing it yourself may be counterproductive.
Keep meaning beyond colour
Distinguish series with line patterns, symbols or direct labels too. Check dark lines, contrast and grayscale legibility. The chart then remains interpretable despite screen-to-print differences.
Review the actual output
Export according to the available specification and inspect the final file in the order preview. A proof can help if colour is critical and the provider offers one. Check available options in the configurator and follow university rules first.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- Provider profile checked.
- Conversion justified.
- Charts legible without colour.
- PDF preview checked.
Common mistakes
- Assuming CMYK is always required.
- Using colour as the only chart cue.
- Treating screen colour as a print guarantee.
Prepare the finished thesis for submission
Once the content and university requirements are checked, review your PDF and the available printing and binding options.
Review printing optionsRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
Must the whole thesis be CMYK?
Only if the actual print specification requires it.
Why do colours shift?
Colour space, profile, paper and printing process all affect output.
Is the screen preview enough?
It checks layout and order, but is not a colour-certified proof.