RGB: light on a screen
Screens make colour by mixing red, green and blue light (RGB). Mixing all three at full strength makes white. Because the screen emits light, RGB can show very bright, saturated colours – electric blues, neon greens, vivid oranges. Phone photos, web images and most design apps start in RGB.
CMYK: ink on paper
Printing presses mix cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) inks on paper. Ink absorbs light rather than emitting it, so the range of colours CMYK can reproduce is smaller than RGB. Some RGB colours – especially bright greens, blues and oranges – have no exact CMYK equivalent and print slightly duller.
How to set up for CMYK
- InDesign, Illustrator, Affinity: set the document colour mode to CMYK when you create it, and define brand colours with CMYK values.
- Photoshop: work in RGB if you like, then convert with Image > Mode > CMYK and check the result before exporting.
- Canva: use 'PDF Print' and choose the CMYK option where your plan offers it.
- Word and PowerPoint: they work in RGB. Expect some colour shift, or ask for design help to prepare the file.
Tips for predictable colour
- Get the CMYK values for your brand colours from your designer or brand guide.
- Avoid relying on neon-like screen colours; choose slightly deeper shades.
- Screens vary in brightness – your phone and laptop will not match each other, let alone print.
- For large areas of black, ask about rich black so it prints deep rather than greyish.
- If colour is critical, print a small run first and check it.
Colour is one part of a good file – see how to prepare a print-ready PDF and our artwork guidelines.
Placing your order for your printing: everything is done online – choose the specification, pick Economy, Standard, Express or Same-day where offered, upload your file and pay. We accept card payments through Yoco and EFT; anything under R5,000 is paid upfront, and R5,000 or more needs a 65% deposit. We message you when the job is done so you can collect from Rivonia Central in Oriental City, or we arrange delivery to your door at a quoted price.
