If you’ve ever come across the terms RGB and CMYK when working with colours, you might have wondered what they mean, and more importantly, which one you actually need from your design file.

What is RGB?

RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue.

It’s the colour system used for anything you see on a screen. Colours in RGB are created using light, which is why they often appear brighter and more vibrant.

Examples of where RGB is used:

Your website
Instagram and social media
Online shop graphics
Email newsletters

What is CMYK?

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black.

This is the colour system used for print, where colours are created using ink rather than light. Because of this, colours in CMYK can sometimes appear slightly softer or less vibrant than what you see on screen.

Examples of where CMYK is used:

Business cards
Packaging
Flyers and brochures
Printed signage

What this means when using my brandmarks

All of my brandmarks are created and delivered in RGB as standard.

This is because they are designed primarily for digital use, which is where most small businesses show up and connect with their audience today.

Whether you’re using your brandmark on your website, Instagram, or digital products, RGB will give you the best, most accurate colour result.

It also ensures your chosen colours (using your hex codes) appear exactly as intended.

So, which one do you need?

For most of my customers, the answer is simple:

If your focus is online → RGB is perfect
If you’re printing → you may also need CMYK

So if you are planning to use your brandmark for print, such as business cards or packaging, you will might want to order an additional CMYK version.

Why colours can look different in print

One of the most common surprises is that colours don’t always look exactly the same in print as they do on screen.

This isn’t a mistake, it’s just the difference between RGB and CMYK.

RGB uses light, so colours can feel brighter
CMYK uses ink, so colours can appear slightly more muted

If colour accuracy is especially important (for example, with packaging), it’s always worth doing a test print.

Keeping things simple

If all of this feels a little new, don’t worry—you don’t need to figure it all out on your own.

My aim is to make the process as straightforward as possible, so you can focus on building your brand without getting caught up in the technical side.

If you’re unsure what you need, feel free to reach out or include a note with your order. I’m always happy to guide you and make sure your brand mark works beautifully wherever you use it.

Understanding RGB and CMYK isn’t about becoming a designer, it’s simply about knowing how your colours behave in different contexts.

With the right format, your brand will feel consistent, thoughtful, and professional—whether it’s viewed on a screen or held in someone’s hand.

And if you need both versions, I’ve got you covered.

and you would like a CMYK version, I’m very happy to create this for you, just drop me an email and I’ll give you some next steps.

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