Why Printers Say CMYK Instead of RGB
Ever wonder why printers talk in CMYK instead of the RGB you see on screens? It all comes down to how color is created. RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is an additive color model—light is added together to make colors, which works perfectly for TVs, phones, and monitors.
The Difference Between RGB and CMYK
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is a subtractive color model—inks subtract light from white paper to create the full spectrum of colors. Because printing involves layers of ink on paper, CMYK is the only way to get accurate, consistent results in catalogs, magazines, and marketing materials.
Additive vs. Subtractive Color Explained
Here’s what that really means: RGB creates color by adding light. When you combine all three colors at full strength, you get bright white—just like your monitor or phone screen.
Why CMYK Works for Print
CMYK, on the other hand, creates color by subtracting light. The more ink you add, the less light reflects from the paper, and the darker the color appears. So while RGB glows from within, CMYK comes to life on the page.
How Courier Graphics Ensures Perfect Color Conversion
At Courier Graphics, we accept both RGB and CMYK files from our clients—our prepress software automatically converts RGB to CMYK to ensure perfect printing results. That means you don’t have to worry about the technical stuff—we’ll make sure your colors print beautifully and consistently, every time.
Fun Fact: What the “K” in CMYK Really Means
The “K” in CMYK doesn’t stand for “kolor”—it stands for “Key,” because black is the key plate that aligns all the other colors on press.