CMYK & RGB: The Perfect Duo for Your Design Project

Hello, welcome to SaDesign! In today's article, we will learn more about the two most important color systems in graphic design - CMYK and RGB. Let's explore their differences and how to apply them effectively to get the most "color-standard" design products!

1. RGB color system

RGB is the abbreviation of the additive color system mechanism. It includes the following colors: R - Red; G - Green and B - Blue. The working principle of the RGB color system is light emission (also known as the additive light model:) From the 3 primary colors of red, green and blue, colors with greater light intensity will be produced. The RGB color system has a much larger color gamut than the CMYK color system, especially in the bright fluorescent area. Therefore, if you want to display images and content in these areas such as websites and videos, you should choose RGB colors!

1.1. When should we use the RGB color system?

Because of its large color gamut, especially in the bright fluorescent area, the RGB color system is a suitable choice for digital design publications, products displayed on digital devices such as computers, smartphones, TVs, LED screens, etc.

For example: Online media publications on social networks, websites, online advertising, infographics, brand identity...

1.2. Which file format should be used for RGB design files?

The best file format for RGB designs is:

PSD: The standard file for storing designs in general and RGB designs in particular. This format is easy to use and is particularly well supported in Adobe Photoshop.
PNG: Images without background
JPEG/JPG: Suitable choice, easy to use on all platforms with light capacity but still maintaining image quality

Formats like EPS, PDF and BMP should not be used when designing in RGB color scheme as these formats are large in size and are not compatible with various platforms.

2. CMYK color system

When it comes to color systems in design, along with RGB, we need to pay attention to the CMYK color system. In contrast to the RGB color system (additive color system mechanism), CMYK is the abbreviation for the subtractive color system mechanism. The CMYK color system includes the following colors:

C = Cyan (Blue)
M = Magenta (Pink)
Y = Yellow
K = Black

Because it is a subtractive color system, in contrast to the RGB color system, the CMYK color system works by absorbing light: Objects do not emit light themselves, but instead reflect light from other sources. To understand it more easily, let's remember the color mixing exercises when studying art at school:

Mix blue (C) with pink (M) to get blue (Blue)
Color M + color Y = red
Color C + color Y = green
Color C + M + Y = Black

2.1. When should we use the CMYK color system?

Now let's go back to the question at the beginning of the article: "Why is the color of the printed design different from the one displayed on the computer?" The answer is: When designing only to be displayed on the computer, you need to use the RGB color system. But when you need to print that design, so that the printed version and the computer version have the same color, you need to choose the CMYK color system.

In other words, the CMYK color system is used for printed products such as signs, business cards, stickers, menus, packaging, flyers, posters, etc. Because printers use 4 CMYK inks to print colors on materials. Therefore, using this color system directly for the design will help the product to be colored more accurately than the RGB color system.

2.2. Which file format should be used for CMYK color design files?

Depending on which file format your printing place prefers, you can send them the file in the corresponding format. The three best and most commonly used file formats for CMYK design are:

PDF: Unlike digital publications designed in RGB color system, publications printed in CMYK color system do not need to be used on online platforms, but need to be compatible with many document opening software, so that they can be easily opened on any computer. Therefore, there is no more perfect format than PDF.

AI: AI is the standard file for storing and editing designs in the CMYK color model. This format is easy to use and is particularly well supported in Adobe Illustrators.
EPS: Another alternative to AI as EPS is also highly compatible with vector software.
Thus, we can briefly summarize to easily remember the difference between CMYK and RGB color systems as follows:

RGB color system

CMYK color system

Mechanism

Additive color system

Subtractive color system

Case

use

Digital design publication (display)

on computer, phone...)

Design publications need printing

Format

Fit

PSD, PNG, JPEG

PDF, AI, EPS

3. How to check if the design is in RGB or CMYK color system

3.1. How to check the color system in use in the design

When you start a new design in Photoshop or Illustrator, you can choose the appropriate RGB or CMYK color system for your design in the Color Mode section.

However, when you receive a file and need to know whether the file is designed in RGB or CMYK color system to make timely adjustments, you can do the following:

For Adobe Illustrators software: Go to File, select Document Color Mode > CMYK (or RGB)
For Adobe Photoshop software: Go to Image, select Mode, then select the color system you want to convert (CMYK Color, RGB Color,....)

3.2. Convert from RGB to CMYK color system and vice versa

If you want to convert your design's color system from RGB to CMYK and vice versa, you can do it as follows:

In Photoshop:
Go to Edit, select Convert to profile.

Now, in the Convert to Profile dialog box, select the color system you want to convert in the Destination Space section.

Trong Illustrators:
Go to the Edit tab, select Edit Colors. Then, select the color system you want to convert to.

3.3. Notes when converting RGB color system to CMYK and vice versa

Because they are two different color system mechanisms, with different operating principles, when converting from RGB to CMYK or vice versa, it is inevitable that the colors will be different before and after conversion. Depending on the original color, the color after conversion may be brighter or darker. Therefore, do not forget to edit the parameters of each color to achieve the best results!

SaDesign hopes that this article has helped you understand the “portraits” of CMYK and RGB. Apply this knowledge to create the most impressive and quality designs. Wish you always full of creative inspiration!