CMYK, RGB, Pantone colors… what’s the difference?

Color codes, color shades, color transitions, color this, color that... Color is a very important aspect of good design. That's why we take the time to work with our customers to determine the ideal color combinations. During these meetings, I am often asked: “Astrid, what's the deal with all these color models?” In short, it's time to take a closer look at these color models!

CMYK colors

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (= black). In this model, each color is composed of a mix of these four basic colors. The amount of each color is expressed in percentages.

We use the CMYK model to name the colors of objects that do not give off light themselves, but reflect light from other sources. A little bit of optics: some objects give off light (light source), others reflect light (reflector). An example: Your lamp in your living room gives off light and your beige sofa reflects this light. You know your sofa is beige because it reflects the light. Boiling hot topic, isn’t it?

Good to know: The color spectrum of the CMYK model is smaller than that of the RGB model (more on this below).

RGB colors

RGB is short for Red, Green, Blue. We use this model to name the colors of light sources. These objects give off light themselves, such as computer screens, projectors, and TV screens. Depending on the brand, a certain RGB color combination will look different on one screen than on another. Visuals that you post on your website or social media are in RGB.

Pantone colors

PMS stands for ‘Pantone Matching System’. This model can be considered as a real paint shop. The final color is not mixed, but can be considered as a ready-made paint pot. You can add Pantone colors to a CMYK design as a so-called ‘spot color’. This makes your printed matter more expensive, because an extra printing run is required.

Good to know: The substrate (paper, cardboard, etc.) affects your Pantone color. It will therefore never be 100% identical to the color you saw on the color chart.

Summary

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all this information? Let’s summarize it briefly:

The Pantone and CMYK models are used for printing, while the RGB model is used for screen display. It is also not that easy to convert RGB colors to CMYK. The RGB model has a wider color range, which means you have to look for alternative colors in the CMYK model. These colors may then appear duller or darker than the original ones.

Are you looking for specialized support in designing your online and offline visuals? Could you use some help choosing the right colors for your branding? Or are you looking for the ideal partner in printing? We are ready with a boiling hot concept and will guide you through the color jungle!

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