RGB vs CMYK

RGB vs CMYK

RGB (red, green, blue) is a system that represents the colours used on a computer display. These colours can be combines in various ways to obtain any colour in the spectrum. RGB levels range from 0-100% of full intensity.

Conversely, CMYK is a subtractive colour model used in printing, and also describes the process of printing. CMYK defines the four inks used in some colour printing – cyan, magenta, yellow and key (which is black).

The difference between the two lies with the fact that RGB is an additive, and CMYK is a subtractive. Essentially, this means that whilst RGB is a projected light colour system, CMYK is reflected. All colours begin with darkness (black) and different lights (colours) are added to become visible. RGB ‘maxes’ at white, meaning it has all lights on full brightness. With CMYK, it is seen as all colours starting with white (the paper), to which different colours (inks) are added to absorb (subtract) the light that is reflected. 

Most screens are RGB and printers CMYK.