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COLOR MODELS
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CONTENTS
The Two Most Common Color Models .................................................................... 1
Additive vs. Subtractive Color Models ................................................................... 2
RGB Color Model ......................................................................................... 2
CMYK Color Model ........................................................................................ 3
Color Gamut and Color "Space" ........................................................................... 3
RGB Color .................................................................................................... 4
CMYK or "Process Color" ................................................................................... 4
When In Doubt, Save Images As RGB .................................................................... 5
Use RGB For Screen Displays and CMYK For Print ................................................... 5
Summary ..................................................................................................... 6

A color model is an orderly system for creating a whole range of colors from a small set of
primary colors. There are two types of color models, those that are subtractive and those
that are additive. Additive color models use light to display color while subtractive models
use printing inks. Colors perceived in additive models are the result of transmitted light.
Colors perceived in subtractive models are the result of reflected light.
THE TWO MOST COMMON COLOR MODELS
There are several established color models used in computer graphics, but the two most
common are the RGB model (Red-Green-Blue) for computer display and the CMYK model
(Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-blacK) for printing.

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Notice the centers of the two color charts. In the RGB model, the convergence of the three
primary additive colors produces white. In the CMYK model, the convergence of the three
primary subtractive colors produces black.

In the RGB model notice that the overlapping of additive colors (red, green and blue) results
in subtractive colors (cyan, magenta and yellow). In the CMYK model notice that the
overlapping of subtractive colors (cyan, magenta and yellow) results in additive colors (red,
green and blue).

Also notice that the colors in the RGB model are much brighter than the colors in the CMYK
model. It is possible to attain a much larger percentage of the visible spectrum with the RGB
model. That is because the RGB model uses transmitted light while the CMYK model uses
reflected light. The muted appearance of the CMYK model demonstrates the limitation of
printing inks and the nature of reflected light. The colors in this chart appear muted because
they are displayed within their printable gamut (see below).

ADDITIVE VS. SUBTRACTIVE COLOR MODELS

Since additive color models display color as a result of light being transmitted (added) the
total absence of light would be perceived as black. Subtractive color models display color as a
result of light being absorbed (subtracted) by the printing inks. As more ink is added, less and
less light is reflected. Where there is a total absence of ink the resulting light being reflected
(from a white surface) would be perceived as white.
RGB COLOR MODEL
RGB Color Model

Additive color model
For computer displays
Uses light to display color
Colors result from transmitted light
Red+Green+Blue=White
CMYK Color Model

Subtractive color model
For printed material
Uses ink to display color
Colors result from reflected light
Cyan+Magenta+Yellow=Black
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Additive color model
For computer displays
Uses light to display color
Colors result from transmitted light
Red+Green+Blue=White



CMYK COLOR MODEL

Subtractive color model
For printed material
Uses ink to display color
Colors result from reflected light
Cyan+Magenta+Yellow=Black

COLOR GAMUT AND COLOR "SPACE"

Each color model has is own gamut (range) of colors that can be displayed or printed. Each
color model is limited to only a portion of the visible spectrum. Since a color model has a
particular range of available color or gamut, it is referred to as using a "color space". An
image or vector graphic is said to use either the RGB color space or the CMYK color space (or
the color space of another color model). Some graphic applications present the user with
more than one color model for image editing or illustration and it is important to choose the
right one for the task. The whole point of this article is to explain the difference between the
two color models so you choose the right one for the job. For you work to display at its best,
choosing the right color model is critical.

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RGB COLOR

The RGB model forms its gamut from the primary additive colors of red, green
and blue. When red, green and blue light is combined it forms white.
Computers generally display RGB using 24-bit color. In the 24-bit
RGB color model there are 256 variations for each of the
additive colors of red, green and blue. Therefore there are
16,777,216 possible colors (256 reds x 256 greens x 256
blues) in the 24-bit RGB color model.
In the RGB color model, colors are represented by
varying intensities of red, green and blue light. The
intensity of each of the red, green and blue
components are represented on a scale from 0 to 255
with 0 being the least intensity (no light emitted) to 255
(maximum intensity). For example in the above RGB chart the magenta color would be R=255
G=0 B=255. Black would be R=0 G=0 B=0 (a total absence of light).

CMYK OR "PROCESS COLOR"

The CMYK printing method is also known as "four-color process" or simply "process" color. All
of the colors in the printable portion of the color spectrum can be achieved by overlapping
"tints" of cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks. A tint is a screen of tiny dots appearing as a
percentage of a solid color. When various tints of the four colors are printed in overlapping
patterns it gives the illusion of continuous tones - like a photograph:

The CMYK model forms its gamut from the primary subtractive
colors of cyan, magenta and yellow. When cyan, magenta and
yellow inks are combined it forms black - in theory.
However, because of the impurities in ink, when cyan,
magenta and yellow inks are combined it produces
a muddy brown color. Black ink is added to this system
to compensate for these impurities. In the
CMYK color model, colors are represented as
percentages of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. For
example in the above CMYK chart the red color is
composed of 14% cyan, 100% magenta, 99% yellow and 3% black.
White would be 0% cyan, 0% magenta, 0% yellow and 0% black (a total absence of ink on white
paper).

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WHEN IN DOUBT, SAVE IMAGES AS RGB

The RGB model displays a much larger percentage of the visible spectrum than the CMYK
model and, as a result, has a wider gamut. Once an image has been converted from RGB to
CMYK and brought into printable gamut, the extra RGB data will be lost.

One can retain out-of-gamut areas in CMYK images and leave it to the computer to bring the
colors into gamut at printing time. However this requires the computer to make the
conversion from RGB to CMYK and this doesn't always work out as well as one might expect.
Conversion between color models is not always a good idea.

Because of this fact, you want to scan or shoot images (with a digital camera) using the
appropriate color model for their primary purpose. If the images will be used primarily for
print then use CMYK. If they will be used primarily for screen displays, then use RGB. You can
always convert from RGB to CMYK (or vise-versa) but it is best not to.

If you can afford the time, money and disk space to scan or shoot both versions of an image
where both are needed, then this is the best solution. This is especially true if you will be
using the same images for both printed material (such as a catalog) and the web (such as an
online catalog). A little planning can go a long way here.

But if you are not sure, then I generally recommend saving images in RGB mode and creating
CMYK copies for printed material as needed.

USE RGB FOR SCREEN DISPLAYS AND CMYK FOR PRINT

It is important to choose the right color model for the job. If your images will be printed,
then convert them to CMYK and manually bring them into gamut before printing. If your
images are to be displayed on a computer, then make sure you use RGB color so the full
gamut will be available for display. Because both models can be available at the same time
while using an application, it is easy to make a mistake and choose the wrong palette or set
of color swatches.

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SUMMARY

RGB
o Additive
CMYK
o Subtractive