CMYK vs RGB: What’s the Difference?
Have you ever noticed that colours sometimes look different on screen compared to the finished printed version?
In many cases, that’s because screens and printers produce colour in different ways.
Understanding the difference between RGB and CMYK can help you prepare artwork that prints more accurately.
What is RGB?
RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue.
It’s the colour system used by digital screens, including computers, phones, tablets and televisions.
By combining different amounts of red, green and blue light, screens can display millions of colours.
What is CMYK?
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black).
It’s the colour system used for commercial printing.
Instead of using light like a screen, printers reproduce colours by applying different amounts of coloured ink to the paper.
Why do colours look different?
Because screens use light and printers use ink, some colours that appear bright and vibrant on screen can’t be reproduced exactly in print.
This is perfectly normal and doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with your artwork.
Preparing artwork in CMYK gives a better indication of how colours are likely to appear when printed.
Which colour mode should I use?
If you’re creating artwork specifically for print, it’s usually best to work in CMYK from the start.
If your artwork has been created in RGB, it can often be converted before printing, although some very bright colours may appear slightly different after conversion.
If you’re unsure which colour mode to use, check the artwork requirements before exporting your files.
Summary
RGB is designed for digital screens, while CMYK is designed for printing. Because they reproduce colour in different ways, printed colours may not always look exactly the same as they do on screen. Preparing artwork in CMYK can help achieve more consistent print results.