Litakerfi: RGB og CMYK

• Litakerfi are used to control and describe colors in different mediums.
• Different technologies or printing processes display colors differently and that is why different color systems have been developed.
• The purpose of the different color systems is to ensure the best output, based on whether you work with digital images or print work.

Additive Color Systems

• Additive color systems, like RGB, are based on light.
• Additive color systems are used for screen media such as computers, televisions, and smartphones.

Subtractive Color Systems

• Subtractive color systems, such as CMYK, are based on ink.
• Subtractive color systems are used for printing on paper and other materials.

Correct Color System

• It is important to choose the correct color system depending on what the final product is intended for.
• The color experience can be wrong if the wrong color system is used.
• A printed color may look different than it did on a computer screen and that is why designers need to know how color systems work and how best to use them in different situations.

RGB Color System

General Information

• The RGB color system is the color system used for screen media such as computers, televisions, and smartphones.
• RGB is an additive color system, which means that colors are created by adding light.
• When all three colors are mixed together at the highest strength, white color is obtained.

Main features

• Used for: Screens, websites, photos online
• Basic colors: Red, Green, Blue
• Color composition: Each color has a value from 0–255, so there are 256 color values, where zero counts as a color in this case, so the total is 256
• All colors together = White
• Contains 16,777,216 different colors (256 × 256 × 256 = 16,777,216)
• RGB has a wider color gamut than CMYK and can show brighter and brighter colors.
• Many colors that are seen on the screen are therefore not exactly reproduced in print.

CMYK Color System

General Information

• CMYK is a color system used for printing.
• CMYK is a subtractive color system, which means that colors are created by filtering out parts of incident light from white paper with ink.
• When all three colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) are mixed together, a dark color is obtained, but not a pure black.
• Black (K) is added to achieve deeper tones.

Main Features

• Used for: Print media such as brochures, billboards, magazines and books
• Basic colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
• Color composition: Percentages (0%-100%) for each color mix
• All colors together = Dark color
• CMYK cannot show all bright RGB colors, so if a design is made in RGB and then converted to CMYK for printing, some colors may become faded.

CMYK vs RBG

• The difference between RGB and CMYK can best be seen when looking at how many different color blends each system can create.
• RGB has 16,777,216 color options (256 × 256 × 256), but only a limited number of them can be reproduced with CMYK printing colors.
• The printing color range only covers a limited part of the screen color range.
• Bright and strong colors seen on computer screens can fade or be altered when printed.
• This is important to keep in mind when working with graphics that are to be printed, as not all RGB colors can be reproduced in CMYK with accuracy.
• It is recommended to design print work directly in CMYK to ensure the best possible color matching from screen to print.

Why This Matters

• If an image is designed in RGB and then printed in CMYK without proper preparation, the color may be different from what was seen on the screen when printed in the print color system.
• It is important to use RGB for digital media, CMYK for print work, and change RGB files to CMYK before they go to print.

Practical Examples

• When designing a poster for printing, you should work in CMYK from the start to ensure correct colors in print.
• When creating an image for Instagram, you should use RGB to ensure bright and vibrant colors on the screen.

Summary

• RGB is best for screens, CMYK is best for printing.
• RGB has a larger color gamut and brighter colors, but CMYK ensures better consistency in printing.
• Always choose the correct color system based on whether your work is intended for screen or print.