Colour Models & Systems
RGB, CMYK, PMS, – what the Hex does it all mean?
What do I really need to know? (And why so many acronyms?!) Colour models and systems can be confusing when it comes to finding what best suits your project, so we’ve created a simple guide to help you to bring the right kind of colour into your life.
The first step when approaching colour models and systems is to distinguish what application the project is for. Will it be printed or will it be used digitally? The most common colour models you’ll encounter are RGB, Hex, CMYK and PMS. We’ve categorised them into Digital and Print below to give you an idea of how and when you can use them.
Digital |
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RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
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CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black))
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Hex Colour Codes (hexadecimal)
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PMS (Pantone Matching Systems)
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Checking your projects are printed or displayed with the most suitable colour system ensures the final product matches the colours you’ve envisioned. Now that you’ve got your head around colour models, let’s talk paper stocks…stay tuned for more.
Happy colouring!
