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The biggest printing myth

Myth: Convert your image to CMYK mode before you print for best results.
Truth: Desktop printers are compatible with RGB files and are precisely configured to convert RGB data to CMYK with the best results.

If your image is already in RGB mode, do not convert it to CMYK before printing. On almost all desktop printers, if you convert to CMYK before printing, you will get less accurate color results. Desktop printers have a unique algorithm to convert RGB images into CMYK. Even if the image is already CMYK, your printer will convert it to CMYK again for unpredictable results.

You should always leave your image at RGB color and let your printer convert it to CMYK. Your printer does this without letting you know.

Previewing print colors

One reason people convert their image to CMYK mode before printing, other than believing that that it will produce better results, is to preview how the colors will appear when it is printed. That is an incorrect way of previewing print colors. Photoshop lets you preview print colors without having to convert the image color mode.

To preview print colors, choose View > Proof Colors. Now you can see what your image will look like when printed without having to convert the image color mode. Don't forget to disable it back when you're done previewing the print colors.