What’s the difference between RGB & CMYK?

RGB and CMYK are two colour models used in digital design and printing. Understanding the difference between the two is essential for creating high-quality print and digital media designs.

RGB stands for:

• Red 
• Green
• Blue

It is an additive colour model, which means that the more colours you add together, the brighter the result becomes. This colour model is used primarily for digital design, including website graphics, social media, and other digital platforms. RGB colors are created by mixing red, green, and blue light together in varying intensities, and the resulting colour is displayed on a screen.

CMYK stands for:

• Cyan
• Magenta
• Yellow
• Key (black) 

It is a subtractive colour model, which means that the more colours you add together, the darker the result becomes. This colour model is used primarily for printing, including newspapers, magazines, and other print media. CMYK colours are created by subtracting these four colours from a white background to create different shades and hues.

The difference between the two colour models is important because what looks great on a computer screen may not necessarily look the same when printed. RGB colours are typically more vibrant and saturated than CMYK colours, and when a design is created in RGB and then printed in CMYK, the colours may appear dull or washed out. To avoid this problem, it is important to convert your designs from RGB to CMYK before sending them to print.

Most graphic design software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, offer the ability to switch between RGB and CMYK colour modes. When designing for print, it is important to set your document colour mode to CMYK from the outset, so you can see how the colours will appear when printed.

Understanding the difference between RGB and CMYK is important for creating high-quality designs that look great on both digital and print media. By selecting the appropriate colour mode for your project and converting your designs as needed, you can ensure that your work looks its best in every context.