This presentation covers some of the basics of color gamut, including the differences between sRGB and Adobe RGB and different steps photographers and designers should take to get the most out of their photos and imagery.

1. RGB / CMYK
COLOR GAMUT
How to control your colors

2. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
RGB & CMYK
What are the differences
RGB colors are comprised of Red, Blue, and Green. These colors are additive, which means as you add
the colors together, white is created. You see this on screens and projectors.
You can print in RGB, however the color will be difficult to anticipate since most* printing presses use
CMYK based inks.
*Only some digital printing presses can use RGB.
CMYK colors are comprised of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These colors are defined as
subtractive, as you add the color together, they form black.
Graphics created for online use cannot be CMYK, since screens can only display RGB colors through
the use of colored light.
RGB Colors are additive
with applied light.
CMYK Colors are subtractive due to
colorants in the ink.

3. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
Color gamut refers to the range of colors that can be reproduced by any device or system. Color
reproduction can be done by a printer, a screen, a projection, or the human eye.
The visible spectrum includes an enormous amount of color, however many devices simply cannot
replicate the colors found in nature.
The screen colors RGB have the largest color range that can be produced by a device, As display
technology evolves, more color can be displayed through screens. Adobe RGB is an addition to sRGB,
the standard for most dSLR cameras.
CMYK has a very limited color range as seen by the color spectrum.
COLOR GAMUT
How RGB and CMYK differ.

4. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
The visible color gamut is
larger than RGB and even
larger than CMYK.

5. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
Most of the differences in the two
color profiles occur in the fluorescent
oranges and greens. Many of the
colors from CMYK cannot be converted
from an RGB color space. In situations
like this, you need to work in the color
profile you think would work best for
your medium.
Since there is a visible shift
in RGB and CMYK colors,
it’s important to know what
colors are most likely to shift
and how much. Many of the
“vivid” colors here shift to
colors that are more “muted”.

6. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
Some common colors, such as black, look very different in different RGB profiles (Adobe RGB and
sRGB), and it’s especially true regarding CMYK. When you convert to different RGB profiles, some
colors shift due to different color ranges. Common RGB colors, such as red are mixtures of Magenta
and Yellow in CMYK, leaving room for interpretation of color.
WORKING WITH COLOR
How RGB and CMYK differ.
RGB Black
R: 0
G: 0
B: 0
CMYK Black
C: 0
M: 0
Y: 0
K: 100
CMYK Rich Black
C: 25
M: 35
Y: 35
K: 100

7. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
Looking at the difference in Adobe and sRGB, Adobe RGB displays more deep green and blue colors
than sRGB, which is due to the larger color gamut. When you convert to a color in Photoshop, often
times you’ll get unexpected results.
When you convert from RGB to CMYK, you loose a lot of the color profile, especially in the fluorescent
colors, like oranges, greens, and blues. Working with color correction techniques in Photoshop can
help correct the “muddy” effects of RGB. You should be color correcting EVERY image you have
anyway, so this is part of the design process.
WORKING WITH COLOR
How to get the most out of RGB and CMYK.
sRGB CMYKAdobe RGB

8. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
Photographers shoot with different color profiles and need to convert to sRGB when using a commercial
presses. Unfortunately, you don’t control the color profiles that printers use for their digital and offset
presses. In fact, most office printers use sRGB color profiles as their default.
TIP: Commercial printers convert to CMYK for most production work.
Always work in the native color profile
your photograph was shot in and
convert to sRGB or CMYK right before
final production if you’re printing the
piece. Working in RGB allows the
best use of your file, and it saves file
space. (RGB files are smaller than
CMYK by about 30%).
Access Color Settings through
Edit > Color Settings. Select a working
color space.
WORKING WITH COLOR
How to work with Adobe RGB and sRGB

9. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
WORKING WITH COLOR
Changing Color Profiles in Photoshop
In Photoshop, you can assign
a color profile under Edit
> Assign Profile. This will
convert your photograph
to the color profile of your
choice, and you can work with
this for the duration of your
edits.

10. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
When submitting your photograph for print:
Ask your printer what color profile they use
for their production. Most of the time, they’ll
appreciate the question and tell you about the
production techniques they use. If you don’t ask,
your photo might turn out completely different
from what you intend.
Pro TIP: In Photoshop, under View > Gamut
Warning, any color covered in grey will not
be able to be reproduced in a traditional or
commercial printer. Only by color correction
techniques in CMYK mode will the colors be
able to be produced and gamut will be limited to
the production values.
WORKING WITH COLOR
How to work with CMYK

11. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
Designers work with different color gamuts for almost every project, and it’s important to know how
to work within both the RGB and CMYK profiles.
As mentioned above, always work in RGB and convert to CMYK right before final production if
you’re printing the piece. Working in RGB allows the best use of your file, and it saves file space.
However, there is a better way through Color Proofing. Under View > Proof Colors (Make sure your
Proof Setup is on Working CMYK). If you toggle the Proof Colors option, you don’t need to switch
between colors.
Pro TIP: Microsoft Programs only run RGB, so you cannot submit CMYK photographs in Microsoft
Word, PowerPoint, or Publisher.
WORKING WITH COLOR
How to work with CMYK

12. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
WORKING WITH COLOR
Changing from RGB to CMYK in Photoshop
In Photoshop > Mode > RGB / CMYK
options are available to toggle
between color profiles.
Image > Mode > CMYK Color.

13. RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT
BE CREATIVE WITH COLOR.
YOU CAN DO A LOT
BY USING A LITTLE BIT
OF COLOR.
YOU CAN DO A LOT
BY USING A LITTLE BIT
OF COLOR.