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How RGB and CMYK differ | Zobnu

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Utilities

How RGB and CMYK differ

Understand the two color systems and why a digital design may look different in print.

From the Zobnu librarySeptember 28, 2026Topic: color

RGB is for screens

RGB uses light and is the standard color model for screens, monitors, and digital design work. Bright colors are created by mixing red, green, and blue channels.

CMYK is for print

CMYK works by subtracting reflected light from paper using cyan, magenta, yellow, and black values. It is the standard model for many print workflows, which is why a color that looks perfect on a screen may shift slightly in print.

Why conversions matter

If you are preparing a design for print, using the correct color space matters. Converting RGB values to CMYK helps you approximate the result in a physical medium.