What is CMYK and RGB? What's the Difference and Why Does It Matter? 

When it comes to printing your custom packaging and providing your artwork for us to print, choosing the right colour mode is more important than you might think, especially if your brand colours are what differentiates you. If you've ever wondered why your colours look different on screen compared to in print—you're not alone! The answer usually lies in the colour mode used: CMYK vs RGB.

Let’s break it down!

RGB - Made for Screens

RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue. 

It’s the colour mode used for digital screens. RGB works by blending light. When all three colours are combined at full intensity, you get white, and when none are present, you get black.

Because RGB is based on light, it can display super vibrant and luminous colours that aren’t always achievable in print. It’s ideal for:

• Websites

• Social media graphics

• Digital mockups

• Anything viewed on a screen

CMYK - Made for Print

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (another name for Black!).

Instead of light, CMYK uses these four ink colours, layering the four colours to create your final print. It’s a subtractive process, meaning colours get darker as you add more ink.

CMYK is perfect for:

• Printed packaging (like gift boxes or bags)

• Business cards and brochures

• Custom labels

• And much more!

Can you convert the different colour modes?

We can certainly convert any RGB artwork to CMYK for printing, however, colours created in RGB sometimes don’t translate 100% exactly into CMYK. That bright neon pink you see on screen? It might print more muted. That’s why it’s important to design in CMYK if your final product is going to be printed.

So Which One Should You Use?

It all depends on the final output:

• Designing for print? Stick to CMYK.

• Designing for digital? Use RGB.

If you’re creating something for both (like a logo for your social media post which will then be printed onto a bag), make sure you understand how colours might shift between modes. You can expect any bright colours on the screen to print slightly duller in CMYK.

Need Help with Colour Setup?

At Gift Packaging, we work with CMYK printing every day. If you're unsure which colour mode to use, or want to make sure your artwork prints just right, feel free to get in touch with our team. We're here to help make your packaging look as good in real life as it does on screen!