CMYK Color or RGB Color?

Submitted by Tech Support on Tue, 11/10/2020 - 14:51
RGB and CMYK illustration on screen, printer

Of all the things you need to know about your copier, "color" seems like the easiest concept--but is it really? The truth is that there are two different types of color you need to be familiar with: CMYK and RGB.

Luckily, it doesn't take a lot of research or homework to get a good idea of what this means and why it matters to you.

CMYK VS RGB

In order to get the most use out of your copiers and create exactly what you want every time, it's important to understand a few basic color concepts. CMYK and RGB are the two different color models you'll want to remember--but don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds!

RGB Color

RGB color is actually just an acronym for "red, green, blue." These are the primary colors in the digital design industry, which means that every color you see on your screen is actually made by combining red, green, and blue. RGB color is used primarily for digital design--which means that this color model is most helpful when it comes to creating anything you see on television, computers, or mobile devices.

CMYK Color

CMYK color refers to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. These are the colors most often associated with printers and ink, and for good reason--CMYK color is primarily used to create printed and copied documents.

Why Knowing the Difference Matters

To recap, the RGB color model is mostly used for digital design, and CMYK color is what color printers or copiers use. You should keep track of these different color models for one big reason: they'll affect how your finished products look. For example, if you use the RGB color model to create a document for print, the colors won't appear exactly right once they're printed or copied.

Curious about color? Looking for more copier tips? Contact us today!

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