Ever wondered why your printed logo doesn’t pop like the digital version?
The answer lies in color modes.
Designing for screens uses different color models than print, which is why your on-screen colors don’t always translate well to paper. Screens use light (RGB and HEX) to create hues, while printers use ink (CMYK and PMS). Let’s break down the most common color modes:
RGB
RGB is the go-to for anything digital. It’s an additive color model that creates color by mixing light.
The values for red, green, and blue each range from 0 to 255, creating over 16.7 million possible colors. For example, R255 G0 B0 makes a bright red, and R255 G255 B255 gives you white.
This wide range is why designs look so vibrant on screens, but RGB colors can seem duller when printed because they rely on light.
HEX
HEX is like a different way of speaking RGB. It’s a six-character code used mainly in web design. The numbers and letters represent the same red, green, and blue values but in a shorter format.
For example, #ff0000 is bright red, while #00ff00 gives you a vivid green. HEX is super handy for web developers because it’s easy to copy and paste.
CMYK
CMYK is the standard color mode for print and works differently than RGB. Instead of adding light, CMYK combines ink, which makes colors darker the more you mix. For instance, C75 M68 Y67 K90 gives you a rich black.
While CMYK can create around 16,000 colors, that’s much less than RGB’s millions, so some colors just don’t translate perfectly from screen to paper. Plus, printers apply ink in tiny dots, so you might notice graininess in lower-quality prints.
PMS
PMS (Pantone Matching System) is your best bet for super accurate colors, especially in logos and branding. Each PMS color is pre-mixed and comes with a specific code, so it looks the same no matter where or how you print it.
There are over 3,000 Pantone colors, some of which CMYK can’t replicate. However, PMS can be pricey since each color requires its own ink.
Want to learn how to transfer your designs from screen to print perfectly?
Head over to Icons8’s blog for tips on color conversion, proofing, and more!
