RGB vs CMYK: Why the Difference Makes a Difference

Understanding the distinction between two things that look quite similar may seem trivial.

What will you do with the knowledge you have gained about the differences between alligators and Crocodiles? Do you want to show off at a celebration? In the world of design and graphics, the distinction between typeface and typeface can be one that has no impact on how we perceive the general concept in the present.

In contrast, the distinction between the two color modes is not just an interesting fact, but not being aware of it could ruin the design of your graphic.

RGB vs CMYK

Even if you're not able to find plenty of time to learn about the tiny things that matter make sure you know the best time to use the various modes:

RGB vs CMYK – The Difference That Makes a Huge Difference

RGB color modes are employed to design digital communications like websites and television. CMYK color modes are employed to design print-related communication, like business cards and posters.

This is the basic distinction. If you're looking to learn more about the reasons why this distinction is important, continue reading.

What is RGB?

RGB can be described as spotting the light.

Computer screens display color in text, images and other designs, using various combinations of green, red as well as blue lights. This is the source of RGB originates.

Thus, any device that is designed to be used on screens including smart watches and Jumbotron - must be developed using RGB color mode.

Screens display images using thousands of pixels. Each pixel has three sub-pixels: green light, red light along with blue light. These sub-pixels glow in different intensity based on the color that the pixels ultimately display to create an image on a screen that is black.

The screen that you're reading this article on is composed from thousands of pixels. These pixels are combined to display the text and images you are seeing.

RGB values are displayed as a range of zero and 255, which means you have 256 different levels for all three of them (red green, blue) that can be put with each other to produce an iridescent color between white and black. That means there are more than sixteen million possible colors available in RGB color mode. RGB hue mode. This is a lot of possibilities.

For instance for black, for example, the RGB value for black color is:

R: 0

G: 0

B: 0

This means there is no light from red and 0% green light and percentage blue light. Also it is an absolute absence of light, which results in black.

To design white, designers should provide:

R: 255

G: 255

B: 255

This is the most powerful value for each color, which means that the red, green and blue light sources are bright 100 and provide the greatest amount of light available that is white.

Another approach to think about RGB color mode could be to think of talking about red, green, as well as blue, as colors that are additive. This implies that RGB creates different colors by mixing the quantities of green, red, and blue.

Below are RGB values for some of the most traditional and popular colors.

What is CMYK?

We cannot design everything that we want to be displayed in front of flashing lighting. So, designs meant to be printed printing must be created using CMYK mode.

The name CMYK is derived because of the 4 colors that comprise the model: Cyan magenta, yellow and key. Key is the name given to that black color. Because "B" is taken by "blue" in the RGB model the letter "B" in “black "black" is used instead of the first.

The use of black in this mode of color because even the purest blend of magenta, cyan along with yellow (all lighter shades) is not able to create a totally black color.

CMYK employs subtractive colors and not additive colors. Combining colors in CMYK mode creates the same impact on the final result, just as RGB does. The more colors are added more, the darker the final result. Thus the colors are removed and subtracted for a lighter result.

This is because CMYK coolers absorb light which means that the more ink is absorbed by less light. Combining magenta, cyan and yellow can create an intense brown. It's only when that the key (black) when it is added, that the the color disappears completely.

The CMYK values are expressed in percentages. For instance, in order to make white the CMYK color white, these values must be input in the software for design program as:

C: 100%

M: 100%

Y: 100%

K: 100%

It is interesting to note that setting CMY to zero as well as K 100% will not produce the darkest possible black. To get an "true" black, the following numbers should be set:

C: 75%

M: 68%

Y: 67%

K: 90%

This is referred to as "rich black" or "Photoshop black" and is very pure black due to the fact that it absorbs the greatest amount of light. This color isn't often used because the amount of ink it produces can cause paper to be damaged by lower quality. That's intense.

In addition, using too much ink leads to smearing which makes the text harder to read. If you're using black ink there are variations utilized by designers to ensure that they don't tear a hole in your work.

Cool Black: 60. 0. 0. 100

Warm Black: 0. 60. 30. 100

Designer Black: 70. 50. 30. 100

Rich Black: 75. 68. 67. 90

Below are CMYK inputs for a few traditional and well-known colors.

How can you tell the differences of CMYK as well as RGB?

Simply put, CMYK is the color mode designed to be used for printing using ink for example, business cards. RGB is the color mode designed for display screens..

The more colors added to CMYK mode and the darker the end result. The more color is added to RGB the brighter the final result.

CMYK has an approximate numeric range that is 4x100. RGB has 3x256 as its numerical range. Thus, the vivid hues that RGB can create are difficult to replicate in CMYK.

When you design, the most serious error you can make is not converting to the correct color mode that matches your project. If you don't do this, your colors may appear faded or intense.

Are you unsure of which way to go? Check out these sources to ensure you're making the right choice.

How do I convert to Photoshop?

How do I convert it into Illustrator?

Final thoughts

As an artist, it would be a shame when the colors you have carefully selected for your project do not come out as you had hoped. As we must be mindful of dimensions of elements, fonts and spacing of your designs, the color of our design is an additional aspect to keep a focus on. A better understanding of how these methods work is important.