When creating artwork for print, one of the most important technical details is the colour mode used. The two most common colour modes you’ll come across are RGB and CMYK, and choosing the wrong one can lead to unexpected results when your job is printed.
Understanding the difference helps ensure your colours look as close as possible to what you expect.
What is RGB?
RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue.
This colour mode is used by screens, including:
- Computers and laptops
- Mobile phones and tablets
- TVs and monitors
Screens create colour by combining light, which allows RGB colours to appear very bright and vibrant. This is why colours often look more intense on screen than when printed.
RGB is ideal for:
- Websites
- Social media graphics
- Digital advertising
- On-screen presentations
However, RGB is not designed for printing.
What is CMYK?
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.
These are the four inks used in most professional printing processes.
Instead of using light, CMYK creates colour by layering ink onto paper. Because ink behaves differently to light, CMYK colours naturally appear more subtle than RGB colours.
CMYK is the correct colour mode for:
- Flyers
- Leaflets
- Posters
- Business cards
- Menus
- Brochures
- Any other printed material
Why does this difference matter?
If artwork is created in RGB and then printed, the colours must be converted to CMYK. During this conversion, some colours simply can’t be reproduced exactly using ink.
This can result in:
- Colours appearing duller than expected
- Bright blues, greens or oranges looking darker
- Subtle colour shifts compared to what you see on screen
This isn’t a printing fault — it’s simply the difference between light-based colour (RGB) and ink-based colour (CMYK).
Which colour mode should I use?
For printing, always aim to supply artwork in CMYK.
This gives you a much better idea of how colours will appear once printed and reduces surprises.
If you’re creating artwork in design software such as InDesign, Illustrator or Canva, you can usually set the document to CMYK from the start.
What if my artwork is already RGB?
Don’t worry — RGB files are very common. We can convert RGB artwork to CMYK before printing. However, for jobs where colour accuracy is particularly important (such as logos or brand colours), supplying CMYK artwork gives the most predictable results.
Not sure which colour mode your file uses?
If you’re unsure, just send your artwork to us. We’ll check the colour mode and let you know if any adjustments are recommended before printing.
