What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?

RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue. It is an additive color model used for displaying images on electronic screens, such as computer monitors, mobile phones, and televisions. In RGB, colors are created by adding different intensities of these three primary colors. By combining these three colors at different intensities, a wide range of colors can be produced. In this model, the absence of all colors produces black, while the maximum intensities of all three colors produce white.

CMYK, on the other hand, stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). It is a subtractive color model used in the printing industry. In CMYK, colors are created by subtracting different amounts of these four colors from a white background. When all four colors are subtracted at full intensity, the result is black. In practice, printers use a combination of CMYK inks to produce a wide range of colors. The key color, black, is added to improve contrast and reduce the amount of ink needed to create dark colors.

One key difference between RGB and CMYK is the range of colors they can produce. RGB is capable of producing more vibrant and saturated colors, while CMYK is better suited for reproducing a wider range of colors accurately. Another key difference is that RGB is used for digital media, while CMYK is used for print media. Therefore, it is important to check images in Illustrator, Photoshop or another application that can show RGB and CMYK when your print method is digital. If you see a difference when switching back and forth, you will likely have some color changes in a digital print. This is not an issue with screenprinting where colors are mixed manually by Pantone color which is also shown in the color spectrum above. 

Most screen printing is pantone based, so there are around 2000 colors as of 2023, but the range of colors you can produce is larger than CMYK or DTG printing. However, DTG can custom produce over a million different shades of colors, but the spectrum is smaller than the Pantone spectrum, RGB spectrum, and visible spectrum.