RGB vs CMYK Explained, Simply
RGB and CMYK are two colour systems that work in completely different ways, one for screens, one for print. RGB (Red, Green, Blue) creates bright, glowing colours using light, while CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) blends inks to produce tones on paper or fabric. That’s why your logo can look vivid on screen but slightly flatter when printed. Knowing which format to use RGB for digital, CMYK for print is key to keeping your brand colours consistent across everything from your website to your workwear.
If you’ve ever designed something on your computer that looked bright and vibrant on screen, only to find it prints out duller or slightly different, you’ve already met RGB and CMYK.
We get asked about this all the time, especially when clients supply artwork they’ve designed themselves. So here’s the simple explanation of what’s going on, and why it matters for your brand.