What does RGB and CMYK Stand for?

RGB Stands for Red, Green & Blue, while CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (otherwise known as Black). Each represents the primary colours used

What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?

Simply put, RGB and CMYK are two opposite ways of representing colour. RGB is known as an additive colour model – meaning the more colour you add, the lighter the colour becomes. So if you combine together Red, Green and Blue at their brightest levels you will end up with white! CMYK is known as a subtractive colour model, and works in the complete opposite. This is because the paper being printed on is assumed to be white already. So, with CMYK the reverse is true, when you start increasing the colour levels of (Cyan, Magenta & Yellow) to the maximum you end up with black! If you reduce the colour levels then the print will appear lighter. To achieve a pure black with CMYK the Key colour (black) is used since Cyan, Magenta & Yellow don’t produce a pitch black, hence the inclusion of the 4th colour in CMYK.

When should I use the Greyscale colour mode for my design?

If you intend to create a design that is solely Black & White – no colour, then set your document colour mode to Greyscale colour mode for best results.

What are Spot Colours?

Spot colours are pre-defined, single tone colours, that a designer wishes to accentuate in their print project. The advantage of using a spot colour over a standard CMYK colour, is that they are mixed separately from the other CMYK colours. This means that they are always mixed in the same proportions, producing a full bodied consistent colour output. Offset print presses are required to take full advantage of Spot colours.
**While Officeworks will print spot colours, they are presently not mixed as a seperate colour as described in the section above

Design Guidelines

Print + Create