FAQ: CMYK vs RGB colors – what is an artist to do?
I remember when I started licensing my art, I got very confused about this whole RGB vs CMYK color issue – it isn’t something we ever discussed in marketing class! I assume many of you who have a degree or training in art were less perplexed by this – but I get questions pretty regularly about it so I thought I’d do a little post about color – as I understand them. Feel free to add to my and everyone elses knowledge in the comments!
CMYK stands for Cyan (a pale blue) Magenta (a hot pink), Yellow, and Key (or black). It is called “subtractive color” because it starts with something white – often paper – and filters out wavelengths by applying ink to the paper. (Remember physics? Yes, it is coming back to haunt you! Don’t remember it? How about Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon album cover – not just pretty, it has meaning!)
RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue. RGB is “additive color” because it starts with black – or the absence of light – and adds light in colors as needed.
Computer monitors use RGB while most printers that print on paper use CMYK.
You might still be scratching your head and saying, “Tara, this is fascinating but still leaves me in the dark about what to do with my art if I want to license it.”
My answer: ask your clients.
Here is how I handle color – and I’m sure someone will jump in and tell me that I’m wrong but I’m just telling you what I do – my scanner scans in RGB and I like the way colors look on my monitor in RGB. I create everything in RGB.
When I work with a new client, one of my first questions is, “What color mode do you need my art in, RGB or CMYK?” Then I remember which manufacturer wants what and deliver the files appropriately.
But what happens when you move your art between color modes?
If you work in Photoshop, you might think it’s as simple as going to the IMAGE menu, clicking MODE and changing from RGB to CMYK. Depending on the colors in your art, this could work with little visible differene or really change the way your art looks.
Certain colors – blue in particular – really change when you make them CMYK. Below is an example of a blue square I created in an RGB space – nice and bright! I then put it in a new file and simply changed the color mode to CMYK. See how drastically it changed? Pretty significant!
Color is a huge issue in art and printing and will vary by the factory doing the printing, what is being printed on – paper, ceramic, fabric, etc. There are no easy solutions.
Here are some suggestions to make color – and your clients – your art’s best friend:
- Think about the end printing process when you create if possible. If you know you are designing something for a company that needs art in CMYK, know that the brilliant blue you paint won’t be quite so bright in the end. Be willing to accept some changes – it’s the nature of the business.
- Get some Pantone color fans.
- When I design for ceramics, rugs or some fabrics, a few clients ask me to give them the closest Pantone Fashion and Home color matches (TPX) to my art. So I paint, then sit with the fan and place colors next to them to make my choices. It helps them communicate color with the factory and get the best results.
- The Color Bridge fan is helpful to see how colors will change from RGB to CMYK since they have the swatches side by side. You can get more technical if you have the “coated” or “uncoated” fans to see how the colors work on coated or uncoated paper.
- Learn more at www.Pantone.com
- Really controlling and picking colors is easier if you are a digital artist who creates on the computer. Artists like myself who paint by hand and scan have to understand that the colors may shift a little more. The important thing is to remember that your client’s goal is to get it looking as good as possible – that is what will make it sell. So I pay attention to color, but I don’t obsess about it.
Hopefully this helps… now all you color experts, chime in in the comments and teach us more!
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
Pantone releases fashion trend colors for Fall 2011
Pantone, the makers of color dyes, color swatch guides and the world gurus of color have released their fashion color report for fall 2011. Fashion is important to watch as they often lead the way for home décor and other products as well. Read their full report and here’s to a colorful day!
- Tara Reed
Color Tools for Artists
“Sit in reverie, and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.”
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
And unfortunately, when your art is created by hand, scanned into a computer, manipulated, sent to a manufacturer who often sends it to around the world and back… sometimes we watch our intended colors change like the seasons.
Not so good!
So what tools are available to we artists who choose to license our art? What do manufacturers expect us to have and understand?
A few years ago, I was on the phone with a client. “OK Tara, we’re going to use XYZ design and create product “A” so we need to get the textile pantone colors that you used in your art ASAP.”
Jinkies! That was a lot of stuff I didn’t understand! I asked a few questions and figured I’d search the internet and figure it out. To save you some time, here is what I have discovered and use regularly in my business.
Pantone. They are the color standard. http://pantone.com/
And they have about a bazillion different swatch guides and colors it’s enough to send you screaming from your studio in search of Calgon and a bathtub. (I know! I’m SO a victim of advertising!)
I don’t know all of their products but will give you a brief rundown on what I do know. Then give you links to go figure out more. Of course, this advice is all “my opinion” so don’t send your attorney after me if you disagree.
The first Patone Color Swatch book I got was what they now call the “Color Bridge”. It comes in “Coated” and “Uncoated” — which basically means it shows you what the color looks like when printed on a coated paper (like something glossy or with a finish) or uncoated — like a napkin or basic book page. It is called a “bridge” (I think) because it shows you the “true” Pantone ink as well as what the equivalent color would look like if changed to Process Color or CMYK. (The combination of 4 inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key or Black) In my experience, most products are printed in 3 or 4 color process (RGB or CMYK) – very rarely in pure Pantone inks. (due to the cost I imagine.) So I usually look at the right hand side when picking colors that coordinate with my artwork.
Each of these guides are $119 each online or buy the set for $179. They say you should replace them once a year since they will fade. I will tell you honestly that I haven’t done that, but I do store them in a drawer so they aren’t getting much light. Here is a link to the guides: and Color Bridge Set.
As you continue to license your work, you may be asked for “Textile Colors”. Manufacturers printing on fabric, yarns, rugs and even ceramic companies usually want this type of color reference.
You guessed it! More money coming out of your pocket. But the good news is that if they ask for this level of detail, usually you have the deal so money will be flowing back in as well.
Now, if you want to spend $4,200, you could invest in the actually cotton swatches and know EXACTLY what each color looks like. I DON’T RECOMMEND THIS! 
But knowing the price of cotton, you will feel much better when I tell you that the paper “Fashion and Home”guide that provides you with the required “TPX” colors and color names, will only cost $165.
Textile colors consist of a 6 digit number. (two numbers) – (four numbers)
The first 2 numbers refer to the lightness of the color — there are 9 levels — 11 thru 19. The lower the number, the closer to white or the lighter the color. The higher the number, the closer to black or the darker the color.
The next pair of numbers represents the hue – yellow, red, blue, etc. The hue circle, or color wheel, is divided into 64 sections.
The final pair of numbers describes the chroma level of the color. (huh?) If you want to understand that, head here: REAL TECHNICAL COLOR STUFF But you might be happy to know you don’t need to understand it. Just be able to put the swatches next to your art and decide which is closest to the color there. Then double check that your color recommendations look good together.
Finally, some lucky person at Pantone gets to come up with fun names for the Textile colors — I’d like that job, or the job of naming OPI nail polish colors — if “this art thing doesn’t work out” as I like to say in jest.
Those are the three Pantone Guides I have invested in and reference from time to time. I haven’t figured out the GOE or MUNKI thing yet.. but I’ll let you know if I do.
My final recommendation is that you become a member of Pantone (it’s free). There you will have access to articles about color, color trends, see color palettes other members are working with, etc. You can cross-reference colors between the different guides. BECOME A MEMBER
Have a colorful day!
~ Tara
P.S. Want to learn about “Colorstrology” and see what color coordinates with your birthday?
Visit www.colorstrology.com (This is mine- January 31st – anyone share that day with me?)
P.P.S. Have a Mac 10.4 or above? Go here for a colorstrology widget and see the color of the day automatically on your dashboard. WIDGET
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