RGB vs CMYK: Color guide for printing success

Getting your head around RGB vs CMYK is the ultimate expectations vs reality check for your brand. These two models power everything from your first sketch to the final product, but they speak completely different languages. While RGB thrives on digital screens, CMYK is the heavy hitter for physical print.

In this guide, we’ll cut through the technical noise, break down the difference between RGB and CMYK, and show you how to nail professional, consistent results every time you hit print.

What are color models, and why do they matter?

A color model is a mathematical system that determines how different colors are created and displayed. Because screens use light and printers use colored ink, the way they represent colors is fundamentally different. If you don’t account for these differences, your printed outputs may look dull or “off” compared to what you saw on your monitor.

What is RGB color mode?

RGB is a system based on the physics of white light. It’s known as an additive color model because it creates hues by adding light together.

How RGB color works

The RGB model uses three primary colors: red, green, and blue. When you mix red light, green light, and blue light at full intensity, they create white light. By varying the different intensities of these three colors, a digital display can produce millions of vibrant shades.

Where RGB is typically used

The RGB space is the native language of the internet. It’s used for computer screens, smartphones, televisions, and digital cameras. If you’re creating digital designs for social media or your online storefront, you are working in an RGB color file.

Characteristics of RGB colors

The most notable feature of RGB colors is their brightness. Because screens emit light, the RGB color spectrum is incredibly wide. It can produce neon greens, electric blues, and deep purples that are physically impossible to replicate exactly with printed ink.

What is CMYK color mode?

The CMYK color mode is a subtractive model used specifically for the printing process. Instead of adding light, it subtracts it using physical pigments.

How CMYK color works

CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black ink). When these four pigments are layered on a white surface, they mask the brightness of the paper. To create black in this mode, you combine all colors, though a dedicated black ink (the K) is added for depth and density.

Where CMYK is typically used

CMYK files are the industry standard for all print materials, from business cards to the custom apparel we produce at Printful. Every professional color printing machine uses some variation of these four inks to create colors on physical substrates.

Characteristics of CMYK colors

The CMYK color spectrum is smaller than the RGB range. This is known as the printable range. While CMYK colors are remarkably accurate for most photography and branding, they can’t reach the same level of neon “glow” found on a digital screen.