Color Modes

Whats the difference?

The two color modes RGB and CMYK are both used in design. The reason for the difference though is based on what they are used for. RGB is the color mode used for web while CMYK is used for print design.

The Specifics

RGB respectively uses the 3 colors at base red, blue, and green. As said above this is used in digital design work. The reason for this is because on a screen, the image starts off as black. It creates colors beyond that by using RGB lights in any combination at a different intensities. When all mixed at equal intensity, you get pure white. So anything designed digitally, you want to use RGB.

CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black). This is the color palette used for print materials. Unlike RGB the canvas you are working with starts off as black which creates a process known as subtractive mixing. You start off at white and darken it using colors to create the wanted color vs adding to black to brighten it. By mixing different colors of physical ink you create any color you could want. By mixing all colors equally, you get pure black.

As far as working in these modes you need to make sure you are aware of what you are working on and how you are going to save this work. Anything print is CMYK and Work well if saved as AI, PDF, and EPS files. Anything digital is RGB and works as JPG, PNG, and GIF files.