CMYK vs RGB Understanding Color Modes for Optimal Printing

Color modes play an important role when printing any type of packaging material like custom boxes, folding cartons, paper bags, etc. In reality, it is a misconception that if your design is created well, it will look well. It all depends on the quality of printing and colors. It’s a common question that which color model(CMYK vs RGB) is good for printing. We are right here to answer your concerns. 

CMYK vs RGB

CMYK meaning Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black), is an amazing option if you want to print custom cardboard boxes in multiple colors more brightly. CMYK color combinations produce high-quality results with precision. On the other hand, the RGB color model includes a combination of primary colors i.e. red, green, and blue to produce an array of others. 

This additive color combination gives your design more contrast as compared to working with CMYK alone. To make things clearer, let’s check out here for a comprehensive overview and the uses of both models in printing.  

What is RGB?

You might be clear what does RGB stand for? It’s a combination of primary colors that are used to create all other colors. RGB is an additive color model that can create several hues by adding together different amounts of these basic colors.

Use of RGB Printing

RGB model is a good choice for creating high-quality digital images and designing graphics. It is perfect for large-screen applications like trade shows. While printing a packaging material, you have to use these primary colors in a particular amount to create the desired color of your choice. It means that RGB printing is an ideal mode for those who are in search of a wide range of colors. 

What is CMYK?

CMYK is a subtractive color model, where lighter shades are made by subtracting the ink from existing colors. Black color involves a complete combination of all colors while white is the absence of colors. In short, this 4-color CMYK color model involves the subtracting of colors rather than adding them as done in RGB.

Uses of CMYK Printing

In the world of packaging, CMYK is a famous choice mainly because of its professional printing ability. It is used to make product packaging boxes of a versatile range like cosmetic boxes, soap boxes, retail boxes, cereal with frog on box, and a lot more! CMYK vs RGB The CMYK model is the best approach to choose especially when you need realistic images or want to create a design that requires many colors on your packaging. Color variations are quite easily possible. So if you need only a small print run by keeping the cost low, CMYK is the best choice.  

CMYK vs RGB: Which is Better for a Printed Design?

While creating a custom packaging boxes, the CMYK color model is a far better choice than RGB. As RGB is usually preferred for on-screen displays, it means that you have to transform the design to other digital mediums. This might involve some challenges for custom packaging optimization.

Contrarily, CMYK colors allow you to create a wide assortment of colors. It is a preferred choice for artistic projects as RGB does not usually create many colors. In short, it makes your design look highly professional. 

Achieving Color Accuracy

Achieving accuracy in colors might be challenging but it can be done well with the selection of the right tools, and techniques. Converting colors between these two models can be as easy as making a color wheel in Adobe Photoshop. Just the appropriate knowledge is required. 

However, the biggest mistake people commit while designing is their inability to choose a suitable color mode for their project. It can result in your printing becoming whitish or darker.

RGB model is mostly used in website designing, image editing, and other forms of digital media. Whereas, the CMYK model is preferred for printing projects, graphic designing, and the packaging industry. 

Why CMYK is a Popular Choice for Businesses?

The colors produced by the RGB color model exist in digital space so they cannot produce the desired level of accuracy when printed. So there will be a great difference between the design and the physically printed production line. Side-wise, CMYK is an ideal color choice as the accuracy of colors is carried to the screen image. So whether you are printing corrugated boxes, Kraft boxes, custom stickers and labels, shipping boxes, or any other custom packaging product the results are simply mind-blowing. 

With a wide range of color spectrum, the colors making up an RGB print are dark. So this makes it difficult to produce bright colors across the print run. Moreover, when red, green, and blue are in an additive model, they will only make the hues darker, not lighter!

Contrarily, CMYK produces light-colored, easily reproducible tones and its KEY part produces dark tones. Moreover, CMYK is a perfect choice for a collage print. Want to know what is collate printing? In it, the printed pages are arranged in a specific order. It assembles each set of pages in an accurate sequence, rather than printing it in a stack. So whether you go for adding colorful graphics or artwork, CMYK works well with it!

Moving Towards Pantone Matching System

Where RGB is an additive color approach commonly used for digital formats, and CMYK is an entirely subtractive model preferred in printing material, the Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a standardized system of identification of colors and matching.

The shades used in Pantone can be easily converted to any color model whether CMYK vs RGB. Therefore, changing RGB to Pantone matching system is quite preferable.

Choose a Perfect Color Mode with Us

Having a good know-how of how different colors interact to define pigments, gives you a good understanding of how your final color print looks like. CMYK vs RGB both are popular choices. The more you work with a particular color mode, the more accuracy you can obtain and you get better control on how to translate a design file into a final product. So, if you want an accurate color print every time, hiring the best custom box company in Chicago like Unique Custom Packaging Company USA is the best decision you can make.