CMYK and RGB colour profiles explained
Do you know the difference between CMYK and RGB and why it’s important to use the correct one for your print and digital products?
CMYK and RGB refer to the different ways of mixing colours to create images.
Simply put CMYK is best to use for printed products and RGB for digital products.
CMYK is made up of 4 colours, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black). Every colour that is printed is made up of a combination of these 4 colours, ranging from 0-100%.
CMYK should be used for files and images for printed products including:
- Business card
- Flyers
- Signs
- Brochure
RGB is made up of the 3 primary colours Red, Green and Blue. The different amounts of each of these colours make up any image as it appears on your screen from 0-255.
RGB should be used for files and images for digital products including:
- Website images
- Social media posts
- Online logos
- Videos
Because CMYK and RGB break down colours differently they can’t 100% match each other, so knowing when and where to use each colour mode correctly will ensure your final printed or digital products look how you expected them to.
Has this helped you to understand the differences between CMYK and RGB and when to use them? Contact us if you would like any help with preparing your files for print or digital.