What is RGB?
RGB is a color mode that stands for Red, Green, and Blue. These are considered the primary colors that can be combined to create any color on the spectrum. These also happen to be the easiest colors for humans to see.
Why use RGB instead of CMYK for websites?
Unlike CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black), which is a subtractive process, RGB is an additive process where light creates color. RGB colors combine to make white light which while CMYK colors combine to make black. Because the RGB color mode uses light to make color, it stands out better on-screen than CMYK. In addition to this, RGB can combine to make over 16.7 million colors compared to CMYK only combining to create roughly 16 thousand colors.
Does this make the CMYK color mode obsolete?
The short answer is: No, not at all. Unlike the RGB color mode, the CMYK uses pigment to create color. While this form isn’t the best for online usage, it is the mode used by almost every printer. CMYK is used to print a variety of products such as T-Shirts, Business Cards, Brochures, Posters, etc. Therefore, this color mode plays a crucial role in our everyday lives too!
Additional Facts
- You can convert files, images, and even websites from CMYK to RGB and vice versa
- John Logie Baird created the first RGB color transmission in 1928 and later the first color boradcast in 1928
- The CMYK pallet was first used in printing back in 1906 by the Eagle Printing Ink Company.
- The colors Red, Green, and Blue all have differing wavelengths and voltages
- LEDs use RGB to display light
