Convert 2 RGB colors to CMYK in AI CS5

Question

Hi,
I created a logo in RGB and now I need to have business cards printed and the file has to be in CMYK.  If I change the color mode to CMYK, the colors fade of course and don't match the RGB colors.  I only have two colors in the logo:
#CCFFFF
R = 204
G = 255
B = 255
#0000CC
R = 0
B = 0
G = 204
The printer told me to use a CMYK color pantone guide book.  I am using AI CS5 and was able to locate the Pantone guidebooks that come with the program.  However, I am unsure which Pantone guide I am supposed to use since there are several.  What would be the best way for me to recreate the logo in CMYK mode keeping in mind that I want the two colors to match the RGB colors listed above?  I just googled CCFFFF and discovered that in CMYK it is 20,0,0,0 and # 0000CC = CMYK 100,100, 0, 20).  The color doesn't match exactly in AI, but I am assuming that this is the exact match for the printers?  Please correct me if I am wrong.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Answer 1

You're working backwards, typically colors would be chosen from the Pantone Spot Color guides and then converted to CMYK and finally RGB for web work.  It appears you've got a very light Blue ( 20% C ) and a very dark Purple ( 100%C, 100%M, 20%K ).  The closest Pantone to the light Blue is 628C ( 19C, 6Y ); and 662 ( 100C, 72M, 18K ) for the Purple ( these are older PMS numbers; not the "+" series ).  I'm showing you these numbers so that you'll have an idea of their relationship to Spot colors.  You have not mentioned what type of paper these cards will be printed on...coated or uncoated.  That makes a big difference, too.  Most of the time, stationery items are printed on uncoated paper using Pantone ( or other ) Spot Colors.  I often see coated, glossy business cards similar to those you would buy from VistaPrint online.  The danger is trying to match the coated paper color on a uncoated sheet in the future.  If you are planning for coated paper, the 20% and 100-100-20 combo will be OK ( although the 100C-100M-20K is a little on the dark side...almost Black ).  The dark Purple is a little troublesome because it may look good on the monitor, but you might not like the printed version ( too dark ).  If I were you I'd venture into a local print shop and ask to see their Spot Color guide for the paper you plan on using.  It's best to use your visual sense this way and then apply the CMYK equivalents in your file.  Good luck.