Understanding Color: RGB And CMYK As They Work In Different Modes
Knowing the difference between RGB and CMYK formulas when you use color online or in print can have a big effect on the quality of your displays. Red, green and blue, and their multitude of combinations, are what brings color to computers or digital screens. The print world, however, uses cyan, magenta, yellow and black to create displays on paper.
The two systems create and represent color in different manners. Electronic sources, such as computers or tablets, emit light that is the basis for color seen onscreen. The combination of red and green and blue are what makes up this spectrum. Applied one on top of the other and you will have white. Taken away, and the screen goes dark.
In print, colors respond differently than when represented electronically. Since they are being applied in this case to a solid form, they are absorbed or reflected by wavelengths for visual interpretation. No color means white, while all colors in one mix go dark. Black is created with separate ink in this medium, and is used to define the other colors.
It can be essential to stick with the correct formatting for the type of color you want to see. If you need to come up with a palette for a website, for example, you need to stick with the electronic version of color mixing. These same colors, however, may give you an extremely altered result if used on an offset press.
Some color formulas for Web display can be unrecognizable when printed out. Make sure you have the colors separated into CMYK when you check your output manager functions in a design program if you are printing the finished product. This will ensure you get a black separation that will help define the rest of the colors.
Color gamuts show you what is possible with colors, depending on what type you are using. You can find comparisons for print and electronic versions in different color spectrums that can help you understand how some colors react and look when different types of separation are applied. This level of information may help you tweak the colors you use depending on format for optimum display in the right format.
There are different reasons it can be important for you to go ahead and color correct on your end of a print project. The printer for a publication may ask that you go ahead and deliver files correctly converted to offset color print standards. If these conversions are done on the printer end, you may wind up with color surprises in the finished product.
Knowing what RGB and CMYK combinations mean depending on the medium used can improve your skills as a designer for Web and print. You can find information to learn more about managing color through books and Internet sources. Your next project may be a rainbow of creativity with a vivid arrangement of design.
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