Colour Selection
The differences between RGB and CMYK colour models.
RGB
The RGB colour model is where the spectrum of colours dominated by red, green, and blue are merged in various ways to reproduce a broad array of colours. This model is displayed on LED screens such as a television or PC monitor. Each pixel on the screen is built by driving three small and very close but still separated RGB light sources. At common viewing distance, the separate sources are indistinguishable, which tricks the eye to see a given solid colour. All the pixels together arranged in the rectangular screen surface conforms the colour image.
Desktop colour printers, like ink jet & colour laser printers, work with RGB colour and translate it into ink on a page.
CMYK
The CMYK model works by partially or entirely masking certain colours on a typically white background. CMYK (short for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black)), is often referred to as a four colour process and the ink is typically applied in the order of the abbreviation. This combination creates thousands of different shades and colours which is the why it is the chosen colour model amongst commercial printers.
Most printers will need all work to be submitted as CMYK so there are many design and layout programs that allow you to commit your RGB artwork to CMYK. This also allows your PC preview to be a more accurate reflection of the end result.
Spot Colour vs. Process Colour
CMYK is a process of four colours to build up the desired shade. But what happens if I want a very specific shade that CMYK cannot accurately reproduce?
This is where spot colour comes to the rescue. With the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM, solid spot colours are created without screens or dots. The precision in blending the different inks creates a very unique colouring and allows for exact replicas of corporate logos and identity programs. They are also utilized in one- two- or three-coloured projects for a pleasing result without the costs of full-colour printing.
