When you are going to design something, it’s important to know the difference between the RGB and CMYK color modes. When you know it, you can plan and optimize each stage of the design. As you should consider the colors in your design, where and how the final result should display.
So we have decided to explain what the RGB and CMYK color modes are, how they work and when it’s best to use each.
What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?
RGB and CMYK are the color modes. They are applicable for mixing color in graphic design. The RGB color mode is best for digital work (which will display on screen). On the other hand CMYK applies for print products. To fully optimize your design, you should understand the mechanisms behind each.
Let’s check the depth of both modes.
What is RGB?
RGB is Red, Green and Blue colors. You can choose those colors for digital images. If your design is supposed to be displayed on any kind of screen you should use this mode.
Its Mixing
A specific device can creates any color you need by mixing red, green and blue and varying their intensity and this known as additive mixing. All colors could begin as black darkness and then red, green. Blue light is added on top of each other to brighten it and create the perfect pigment. When red, green and blue light is mixed together at equal intensity, it can create pure white.
Even in images, designers can control aspects like saturation, vibrancy and shading by modifying any of the three source colors. As you know now it works digitally, the designer manipulates how the light on the screen manifests to create the color they want.
When to use RGB?
When destination of design project is a digital screen, use the RGB color mode. Just like when you have to show it on computers, smartphones, tablets, TVs, cameras, etc.
RGB design project involves:
- Icons
- Buttons
- Graphics
- Online logos
- Online ads
- Images for posts
- Profile pictures
- Profile backgrounds
- Video
- Digital graphics
- Infographics
- Photographs for website, social media, or apps
RGB file formats
- JPEGs
- PSD
- PNGs
- GIFs
What is CMYK?
CMYK is Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black colors. This color mode is used for printed materials.
Its Mixing
A printing machine creates images by combining CMYK colors by varying degrees with physical ink. It is known as subtractive mixing. In machine all colors start as blank white, and each layer of ink reduces the initial brightness to create the specific color. By mixing all colors together, they can create pure black.
When to use CMYK?
CMYK is used for the type of designs that will be physically printed, not viewed on a screen. If you need to recreate your design with ink or paint, then CMYK color mode can give you more accurate results.
CMYK design projects involves:
- Business cards
- Stationary
- Stickers
- Signs & storefronts
- Billboards
- Posters
- Flyers
- Vehicle wraps
- Brochures
- T-shirts, hats and other branded clothing
- Promotional swag (pens, mugs, etc.)
- Product packaging
- Menus
CMYK file formats
- PDFs
- AI
- EPS
Thanks For Reading.
If you liked this article and want to read more of these, please subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Linkedin, and Twitter.
