CMYK refers to the file format we use when saving and exporting graphics for the printing process, while RGB is used for screen viewing
People always ask what difference does this even really make. Well, depends how much you really care about accuracy and perfection. The way we look at it is, every little bit counts when producing the best quality graphics for the correct audience. It doesn’t take a whole lot of extra effort to save and format your files correctly so you mine as well get it right.
It’s a challenge for printing to match the exact colors as we see them on our computer screen.
CMYK refers to the 4 primary colors of pigment:
- Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
- The 4 ink colors used on the press in 4-color process printing (aka – full color)
- The combination of CMYK inks creates black
RGB refers to the 3 primary colors of light:
- Red, Green Blue
- These are the colors we see on a screen
- Monitors, tv’s, digital cameras, cell phones
- The combination of RGB light creates white