What is the difference between RGB and CMYK, and what do you use for printing?

The primary difference between RGB and CMYK lies in their intended uses and how they render colours. RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the colour mode used for digital screens like computers, phones, and TVs. This colour model creates bright and vibrant images due to the backlighting of the screens.

On the other hand, CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key [Black]) is the colour mode used for printing. The CMYK model works by subtracting colours from natural white light, making it ideal for physical prints. When designing for print, it is vital to create your artwork in the CMYK colour mode. This ensures that the colours in your digital design will match the printed output.

Colours in RGB can appear more vibrant because of the light emitted from screens, but these colours might not be achievable with CMYK printing. Therefore, understanding the distinction between these colour modes is essential to ensure that your printed stickers look exactly as expected.

For the richest black in CMYK printing, we recommend using a combination of 40% Cyan, 40% Magenta, 40% Yellow, and 100% Black. The conversion from RGB to CMYK is crucial because colours that appear vibrant on a screen may look very different when printed.

By understanding and utilising the correct colour mode, you can achieve the desired colour accuracy and consistency in your custom stickers. If your artwork is in RGB, the printed colours might not be accurate, leading to discrepancies. Our support team is available to assist you with any conversions to ensure your artwork meets printing standards.