RGB vs CMYK

RGB VS CMYK



Identifiers



Red

Green

Blue



Cyan

Magenta

Yellow

Black



Stats



Uses brightness levels via liquid crystal diode (LCD) cathode ray tube (CTR)

256 brightness levels (0-255)

0=black 255=white

16,777,216 color potentials



Uses color dots to cover light wavelengths

100% black dots (or CMY) = solid black (or CMY)

0%=pure white

1 million color variants



Arsenal



Computer monitors

Email

Internet/Websites

CD/DVD Files

Television

Office/Home Printers

All digital files



Posters

Billboards

Glossies

Business cards

Brochures and Leaflets

All types of traditional print media



Strengths



Best for onscreen or digital viewing

Can adapt to basic home or office printing

Allows easy on-screen colormanipulation (Photoshop, etc.)

CMYK-convertible (through Adobe Photoshop, etc.)



Offset printing processors

Crisper colors on blue-white printing paper

Warmer colors on creamy-white paper



Weakness



Precision level of RGB to CMYK conversion



Color cost



Verdict



Digital = RGB wins



Print = CMYK wins