Introduction
Why CMYK?
Almost all printers use the CMYK color space, so there's a good chance that at some point your designs will be converted to CMYK.
Rather than leaving this conversion to the printer, expert designers prefer to design directly in CMYK, or design in RGB and convert to CMYK right before submitting their files. The printer might adjust your files anyway, but converting to CMYK greatly reduces the chances of your designs looking different in print than they do on screen.
Do you actually need CMYK?
Ask your printer, and they'll be able to tell you if they require CMYK. Some print-on-demand services might be fine with RGB, but otherwise, almost all professional printers and print shops will require (or at least prefer) CMYK files, for the reasons mentioned above.
How to Export Figma to CMYK
#1: Use Online PDF Converters
There are free tools you can find online that will help you convert a PDF to CMYK. Just search "Free PDF to CMYK Converter" and you'll find a bunch of options. However, most (if not all) free options come with frustrating limitations like file size limits or watermarks. The main downside to using online tools however is that they require extra steps outside of Figma.
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Pros: Free, usable from your web browser.
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Cons: Requires an extra step outside of Figma, and has a 20MB file size limit!
#2: Convert with Adobe Acrobat
Like online tools, Adobe Acrobat Pro can be used to convert your files to CMYK after exporting them from Figma. While Acrobat Pro is a great tool to have for viewing PDFs (I actually reccomend you buy it - even if using Figma for design), it still requires an extra step outside of Figma to convert your files, and for the cost ($$$) you could purchase a fully featured Figma plugin instead!
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Pros: Powerful software for viewing and editing PDFs
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Cons: Requires an extra step outside of Figma, and the cost might make your wallet weep, especially if CMYK conversion is all you're after.
#3: Use the 'Print for Figma' plugin
Print for Figma is a full-featured print design plugin for Figma. With over 200,000 users, it's the most popular way to export Figma to CMYK. You can export in CMYK without leaving Figma, and you can even define your own custom CMYK colors rather than relying solely on automatic RGB to CMYK conversion.
The 'Pro' plan is only $12/month, and comes with everything you need for print design: layout presets, bleed, crop marks, DPI management, and more.
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Pros: Professional, streamlined workflow, right within Figma; tons of other print design features
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Cons: Requires the PRO plan for CMYK exporting (just under $10/month on the yearly plan)
Final Tips
I know from experience that print design can be overwhelming, so regardless of the path you choose, do the following two things and you'll be okay no matter what: 1) talk to your printer - and 2) always order samples. The worst thing that will happen is that the colors of your samples will look off, and you make adjustments until it meets your expectations.
In conclusion...
Whether you choose to use online PDF converters, Adobe Acrobat, or a proper print design plugin like Print for Figma, you'll be able to export your Figma designs to CMYK just fine. Figma isn't just for digital design; it's a powerful tool for print designers too. By harnessing the right tools and techniques, you can ensure your designs transfer to paper seamlessly, capturing every detail in CMYK.