Explain the difference between RGB and CMYK. When do you use each?
What the interviewer wants to hear
- RGB is additive light, used for screens
- CMYK is subtractive ink, used for print
- RGB has a wider gamut; bright colours may shift in CMYK
- Spot colours like Pantone for exact brand matching
Model answer
RGB stands for red, green and blue. It is an additive model that mixes light, so it is used for anything on a screen, like websites, apps and social media. CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and key, which is black. It is subtractive, because ink absorbs light on paper, and it is used for printing. RGB can show a wider range of colours, so very bright greens or blues often look duller once converted to CMYK. That is why I set up print projects in CMYK from the start and check colours early. When a brand colour must match exactly across printers and materials, I use a spot colour such as a Pantone reference, with CMYK, RGB and HEX equivalents listed in the brand guidelines.
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