You came across this article; chances are, you are a brand or marketer who is working on their branding efforts. Every design is made of colors that translate the various shares on different platforms. You will notice a major difference in colors in the final product in case your file is in RGB mode. To gain the exact colors in printing experts recommend going with CMYK. To perceive this more deeply, explore the guide!
What is RGB?
RGB is the short form of the colors’ names
Red
Green
Blue
mostly used in digital devices like cameras monitors and phone screens. They work in combination to form the diverse range of colors that create the whole image. Their mixture creates white, whereas their intersection makes black. Here are the core concepts that need your attention:
- Color Model: In this process, distinctive wavelengths of light come to one point. When they merge, they form the light in white.
- Core Light Colors: Human eye’s response is quicker to image form in the RGB pattern.
- RGB Displays: This concept is applied to digital displays, where pixels create images that contain primary colors
Red
Green
Blue.
Where RGB Works better
Wondering when to use when to use cmyk vs rgb. RGB preferably performs comparatively finer when it comes to digital designs. They are useful when there is a need to represent the image using lights. Some applications of RGB are as under:
- Creating logos
- Advertisments
- Design projects
- Photography
- Video editing
- Web Design
What is CMYK?
CMYK are the first letters of the colors:
- Cyan
- Magenta,
- Yellow,
- Black.
This is a famous color model used for printing purposes. The collaboration of these colors allows us to generate 16000 variations.
Cyan gives the greenish-blue shade in printing, which is a subtractive primary color. It is very close to the sky blue color that appears in most of the artworks and designs.
CMYK value:
C=100
M=0
Y=0
K=0.
Magenta with a reddish shade is mostly found between red and purple on the wheel of color. Magenta is used with the other three colors
- C (Cyan)
- Y (Yellow)
- K (Keyblack)
to shape other colors.
CMYK Value:
C=0
M=100
Y=0
K=0
Yellow has the primary role in contributing shades where we want to add a golden touch, or structures, characters that want yellow as the base color.
CMYK Value:
C=0
M=0
Y=100
K=0
Black is the only color that requires black itself as a color for the formation. Mostly utilized as the solid ground, which showcases the top layers clearly.
CMYK Value:
C=0
M=0
Y=0
K=100
Some applications of CMYK are as under:
- Promotional items
- Packaging
- Photography
- Business essentials
- Graphic design
How to Convert RGB and CMYK?
By reviewing the reality between CMYK vs RGB, if you come to know that the file you have is not what you want, then there is no need to worry. Shifting formate from CMYK to RGB and RGB to CMYK is just a matter of seconds.
Once you change the colors, you might experience a slight change in intensity. But you can easily give them the situation they are in before by making some edits. Moreover, you can also search on Google to find conversions if it seems difficult.
How to change the color mode settings in Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Photoshop: In this software, you will find the color mode setting from the image button on the navigation bar.
- Illustrator: While creating the new document file, simply click the advanced options menu and select your desired coloring mode.
Which One is Ideal for Packaging CMYK vs RGB Printing
Packaging is what every brand needs. But not all kinds of packaging are the ideal one. It’s like a tool that converts any presentation into sales. They connect with customers through visuals, which influences customer buying decisions. In the design phase, many buyers are conscious about the CMYK vs RGB to determine which one works best for them. So let’s discuss how both of them perform when it comes to packaging.
CMYK Benefits for Packaging
Printing colors in the packaging industry is a serious matter. Because this acts as a billboard of the brand that needs to appear perfect in every aspect. Several factors make CMYK an ideal partner for packaging.
- Enhance efficiency: It simplifies the setup process which leads to reduced time and effort.
- Adaptability: This is not bound to a specific material whether it is plastic cardboard or paper it provides satisfactory results.
- Budget-friendly: It creates artwork with the four base colors that require a limited number of plates which lowers the overall cost.
- Handle complex artworks: Effortlessly handle complex designs with multi-color images with the blend of gradients.
- Color accuracy: Support branding by delivering consistent quality across various types of materials.
RGB Benefits for Packaging
Widely used for promotional materials like digital marketing, social media posts, and TV ads. It needs to be first converted to CMYK format to make it suitable for printing purposes. The CMYK model is more reliable for items that need to be displayed physically, whereas RGB performs best for creating mockups for boxes or artwork designs used in packaging.
What to choose, CMYK vs RGB for Digital Printing
A lot of people are confused about selecting CMYK vs RGB for digital printing. By converting a digital file into a series of instructions, digital printers work. Like any other printing method, digital print also operates based on blending four colors (Cyan- Magenta-Yellow-Black) to print the final image.
CMYK, RGB, or Pantone? Which is the most suitable for printing?
Understanding the art of colors’ impact on printing is the deciding factor for your brand. Whether you are a marketer, founder, or creator for showing your presence in the market, print plays a vital role. This encourages people to explore you and your services and find out how you are the best choice for their brand and business. But before diving into this more deeply, you have to be very clear about CMYK vs RGB vs Pantone to move forward.
What is Pantone?
As you already ready about RGB is only for digital files, but in the printing field, there are two models used widely. Design never presents the exact output as it is shown digital screen, so to follow the similar visuals in printing material a color codes come into play. When we convert the RGB into CMYK, we notice the minimal shift in brightness or in overall tone. But in case the client is asking for the precise results, then Pantone colors are the option left behind. Pantone is a company that introduces the color matching system usually used by manufacturers and marketers to ensure the consistency of color across all platforms. They are also known as PMS (Pantone Matching System), that used worldwide and provides assistance in understanding the needs of the industry.
Below is the table to grasp the idea about different color models:
| Color Model | Color Range | Color Fabrication | Usage in Printing | Particular Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RGB |
16.7 Million |
Create a new color in pixels by combining base colors. |
No |
Digital flyers, Websites, and mobile applications |
|
CMYK |
100 Million | Layers of colors are applied in steps on the packaging material. | Yes | Complex images, paintings, and full-color photographs |
|
Pantone |
2390 |
Pre-made colors come in a book with a code to achieve the desired tone. |
Yes |
Ideal for generating the exact color in a logo or branding elements |
Everything that is printed on paper uses CMYK and Pantone model, whereas for making their design and artwork, RGB performs the best.
Conclusion
CMYK vs RGB, both of them have their own specialty, but on a distinct level. In some scenarios, RGB performs better, but in printing, no one can replace CMYK and Pantone. For creating the blueprints for your project, RGB shows the right colors and contrast on the monitor screen. This streamlines the design process that guides how ideas perform digitally on the soft form.
Once the designing phase is completed then it is sent to the CMYK, which uses ink to transfer the sketch into a physical sheet of paper that might be used for marketing and display purposes. So, to get the edge-to-edge results must go with the CMYK. If you have a brand that lacks in presenting in front of its customers with packaging, then you can consider Premium Custom Boxes. We specialize in developing eye-catching packaging like
and many more…
If you want packaging that speaks for you while you are sleeping, make sure to fill out the quotation form on our website and experience the change.
