03/10/2026
The Difference Between RGB and CMYK: Light vs. Ink
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) uses light to create color. By combining these three colors at different intensities, screens can produce the full spectrum of color you see on phones, tablets, and computers. The more light that’s added, the brighter and more vibrant the color appears—that’s why digital displays look so luminous.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) uses ink to create color. Unlike screens, paper reflects light rather than emitting it. Because ink absorbs light instead of projecting it, printed colors can sometimes appear softer, darker, or more muted than what you see on a screen. By blending these four inks in varying amounts, printers and/or presses can reproduce the full range of colors needed for print.
Because one process uses light and the other uses ink, it’s impossible to guarantee a perfect color match between screen and paper. If color accuracy matters, always evaluate your colors on a printed proof rather than relying solely on what you see on a screen.
To learn more, contact West Press—we’re happy to answer any questions and help you get the best results for your project.
