Colors appear differently on screen than in print due to the different color modes used for each medium. RGB is used for screen designs and displays the widest range of colors through additive mixing, while CMYK is used exclusively for print and creates colors through subtractive mixing of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks. Designers must be aware of the differences between color modes to avoid mismatches between on-screen and printed colors.

1. WD132: Elements of Design
Unit 2: Color
Module 1: Discussion of Digital Color
Color
A common mistake is to believe that the color you see on
the screen will be the same color you see when the design
prints.
There are two color modes in design: RGB and CMYK.
RGB is used for images on screen (web design,
presentations, video)
CMYK is used for print designs.

2. WD132: Elements of Design
Unit 2: Color
Module 1: Discussion of Digital Color
Color

3. WD132: Elements of Design
Unit 2: Color
Module 1: Discussion of Digital Color
Color
RGB offers the widest range of colors.
RGB is often referred to as “Additive Colors” because you
add these colors together to get the other colors. When all
three colors are added together at their purest extent you
get white.

4. WD132: Elements of Design
Unit 2: Color
Module 1: Discussion of Digital Color
Color
CMYK colors are used exclusively in print. This is a four
color mode that utilizes the colors cyan, magenta, yellow
and black in various amounts to create all of the necessary
colors when printing images.
CMYK are known as subtractive colors. When you have
two of the additive colors, but take away the third the
resulting color is either CM or Y. For example, if you have
Red (R) and Green (G) but not Blue (B) you are left with
yellow.
The next slide demonstrates how this works.

5. WD132: Elements of Design
Unit 2: Color
Module 1: Discussion of Digital Color
Color