What’s the Difference Between CMYK and RGB?

If you’ve ever designed something for print or digital use, you’ve probably come across the terms CMYK and RGB. While they both deal with colour, these two colour modes serve entirely different purposes. Understanding their differences is crucial to ensuring that your designs look as good on paper as they do on screen.

RGB, which stands for Red, Green, and Blue, is an additive colour model used for digital displays like computer screens, TVs, and smartphones. In this model, colours are created by combining different intensities of red, green, and blue light. When all three colors are at their maximum intensity, they produce white, while the absence of light creates black. This makes RGB ideal for anything viewed on a screen, such as websites, social media graphics, and digital advertisements.

On the other hand, CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) is a subtractive colour model used for printing. Unlike RGB, which starts with black and adds light, CMYK begins with a white surface (typically paper) and subtracts colour by layering ink. The more ink applied, the darker the result. Since printers use this method to mix colours, any design intended for print should be created or converted to CMYK to ensure accurate results.

One of the biggest challenges designers face is the colour shift that can happen when converting from RGB to CMYK. Since RGB has a wider colour range, certain vibrant colours (like neon greens or bright blues) may appear duller when printed in CMYK. To avoid unexpected results, it’s best to design in CMYK from the start if you know your project will be printed.

Whether you’re designing a business card, a website, or a promotional flyer, choosing the right colour mode is essential. RGB is perfect for digital designs that will be displayed on screens, while CMYK ensures your printed materials look vibrant and true to life. By understanding these differences, you can ensure your designs always look their best, no matter where they appear.