Journal

Color Modes CMYK Vs RGB

by Jen Pennington

Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, Black (CYMK) is a color mode used exclusively for traditional print color separations. The only time a CMYK file should be used is when you are planning to run a four-color job at a traditional print shop. The color house or pre-press area of these print shops will most likely handle the CMYK conversion, but you must let them know they need to do this.

Red, Green, Blue (RGB) is a color mode used for multiple purposes. Most often, an RGB file is used on in-house printing on a color LaserJet or InkJet printer. RGB is also the color space that is used for Web imagery.

Filed under: Graphics 101