You're ordering a graphic design and get asked: "Should it be CMYK or RGB?" Not sure what to answer? This article will explain everything — simply and without technical jargon.
Where Do Colours Come From?
Colours on screen and in print are produced in completely different ways — which is why different colour modes are needed.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) — light colours. A monitor, smartphone or TV screen mixes red, green and blue light to create millions of colours. More light = brighter, so mixing all RGB channels gives white.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) — printing ink colours. A printer applies layers of four inks onto white paper. More ink = darker, so mixing all CMYK channels gives black.
When to Use RGB?
- Websites, apps, social media
- Online banners and digital graphics
- Presentations and videos
- Photos displayed on screen
- Emails and newsletters
RGB has a wider colour gamut than CMYK — on screen you can display colours a printer can never faithfully reproduce. That's why graphics made in RGB and printed without conversion often look different from what you see on screen.
When to Use CMYK?
- Leaflets, posters, brochures
- Business cards
- Large format banners
- Product packaging
- Any print marketing materials
The rule is simple: if it goes on a screen — use RGB. If it comes out of a printer — use CMYK.
What Happens If You Print an RGB File?
The print shop will usually convert it automatically, but automatic RGB → CMYK conversion can produce unexpected results:
- Bright, vivid colours become muted
- Blue can turn grey
- Brand colours may look different from your website
That's why print files should always be prepared in CMYK from the start — not converted "at the last minute".
What About Black?
In CMYK there are several types of black:
- Pure black (K: 100) — for small text and thin lines
- Rich black (e.g. C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100) — for large backgrounds and posters — gives a richer, deeper black
Using rich black on small text will cause "bleeding" — ink layers won't align perfectly and text will appear blurry.
Resolution — a Bonus Tip
- Screen (RGB): 72–96 DPI is sufficient
- Print (CMYK): minimum 300 DPI — otherwise graphics will appear grainy
Summary
| Aspect | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|
| Use case | Screen, web, social media | Print, offline materials |
| Colour mixing | Light (additive) | Ink (subtractive) |
| Colour gamut | Wider | Narrower |
| Resolution | 72–96 DPI | Min. 300 DPI |
At Kavik Studio, every graphic design project is delivered in the correct mode — print files in CMYK at the right resolution, web files in RGB optimised for performance.