RGB vs CMYK: Differences & Usage Tips

RGB and CMYK are the two main color choices for visual media, but choosing the right one can have a huge impact on the end result of your project. But when to use RGB vs CMYK, and what’s the difference between them?

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What is RGB?

RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue. As you’ve probably also noticed, this option is all about using primary colors (i.e., colors that, when mixed, can create any other color).

RGB color mode is used for digital designs. This will be the best choice for you if you’re creating any of the following:

• Images for use online
• An infographic
• A logo for use online
• Graphs or Infographics for blog articles.
• Any form of UI design

What is CMYK?

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (key = black).

The CMYK mode is used for printed materials. There are many uses for CMYK. Here are just a few examples:

• A flyer
• A poster
• An album cover
• A book cover
• A T-Shirt with a printed design
• A magazine

Why Do Color Modes Matter?

Color modes are important because they help determine how an image will look in its finished form. This is especially important if you’re unsure about CMYK vs RGB for printing, as you cannot change colors after printing is done.

If you set an image to CMYK, you will be able to see how it will look when it is printed. On the other hand, don’t be surprised if your printed colors look completely different than those on a computer screen.

You Can Switch Between the Two

Perhaps you’ve started an image using CMYK but decided you’d like to switch to RGB? Luckily, there is an easy way to switch if you use Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Let’s look at the process of converting RGB files to CMYK on both programs:

Adobe Photoshop

From the toolbar at the top of your screen, navigate to Edit and select Convert to Profile. Next, select Destination Space. You can then choose between RGB and CMYK.

Adobe Illustrator

Select all of the elements within your document. Now head to your toolbar, select Edit and navigate to Edit Colors. You can now choose the color mode that you want.

A quick tip: although you can change color modes, it isn’t always advisable. Just because a design looks good in RGB doesn’t mean it will appear the same in CMYK (and vice-versa).

Are Any Other Options Available?

Believe it or not, there is actually a third color option that you can choose from. This option is known as Pantone, a color mode used for printed designs. CMYK is a good option for printed design, but it provides less color range than RGB. As a result there may be a specific hue that is unavailable. Here’s where Pantone comes in.

Where other color models mix different shades together to produce colors, Pantone uses an exact formula for the desired color space. This means that you will always receive the richest color possible. But beware, Pantone colors are much more expensive in color printing than CMYK! 

RGB vs CMYK: 3 key differences

1. RGB Uses Additive Colors

When viewing your screen, you’re actually looking at a vast number of pixels. Grouped together, these pixels form an image. Pixels are tiny and indistinguishable by the human eye, and these pixels contain subpixels, which are divided into red, green, and blue.

Each of these colors contains a value between 0 and 255. To produce different colors, you must alter the percentage of red, green, and blue within an image. Let’s look at how RGB can be mixed to form different colors:

Creating Purple

• Red: 128
• Green: 0
• Blue: 128

Creating Orange

• Red: 255
• Green: 165
• Blue:  0

Creating Pink

• Red: 255
• Green: 192
• Blue: 203

Now you’ve got an understanding of RGB, let’s look at CMYK:

2. CMYK Uses Subtractive Colors

Just as an electronic image is made up of pixels, a printed image consists of many thousands of minute dots. With CMYK, you start with a white canvas and layer colors on top. This is the process by which all printed images are created. If you were to mix all CMYK colors, an image would become completely black.

The color system contained within a CMYK image is known as subtractive colors. This means that color is produced by taking in light. Subtractive color begins with white and gets progressively darker as color is added.

3. Both Options Use Different File Formats

JPEG – There’s a reason 73.9% of all websites use JPEG images. You must bear two factors in mind when creating digital images: size and quality. Create too big a file, and you won’t be able to upload it online. If an image doesn’t look the part, it won’t impress viewers. Luckily, JPEG helps to ensure decent quality while maintaining a low file size.

PNG – If quality is what you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong with PNG. Because it is a vector image (one made up of shapes and curves rather than pixels), it ensures the best possible look for your design. The obvious downside to using PNG is a much higher file size than JPEG.

Now let’s look at some options for CMYK file formats.

PDF – PDF is a great option for CMYK images, especially if you’re creating multiple-page documents such as magazines or leaflets. This is because the format is designed for print.

PDFs are also compatible with most programs. If you’re likely to share your designs with different people, this might be your best option. Just make sure you also invest in the best audio-video conferencing system for clear communication of ideas.

EPS - If you’re looking for higher-quality vector-based print, this is the format for you. EPS files are compatible with other vector-based programs. Because the file is vector-based, an image won’t lose its quality even if stretched. For this reason, EPS is a good choice if you’re looking to print a larger image.

RGB vs CMYK – Which Will You Choose? 

So, as we’ve established, there is no ‘better choice’ between RGB and CMYK color modes. Ultimately, it’s entirely down to your situation.

The debate between CMYK vs RGB for printing is clear. If your creation is intended for print, you should choose CMYK. Otherwise, your design is at risk of looking sloppy. On the other hand, if you’re uploading an image online, you’ll want to choose RGB for the best color range.