RGB or CMYK, which do you use and why?

Gaspode12 2017-02-22 13:41:37 UTC #1

Ok so here's a question for all you talented and knowledgeable people! When colouring in programs such as photoshop which colour mode do you use? I know that CMYK is primarily for print and RGB for posting online. So up till now I've been using the latter. But I recently bought a book about coloring (a DC one), which admittedly is focused on producing work for eventual print, which suggests the use of CMYK. So it got me thinking, if like me you have dreams of one day having some work physically printed in some fashion, why not use CMYK even if right now all you do is post online? Is there a reason not to use it?

I await your wisdom 😉

(my comics, incase any one fancy checking them out.)
https://m.tapastic.com/series/HEY-Fat-Terry-and-Friends
https://m.tapastic.com/series/All-Fingers-And-Thumbs

indagold 2017-02-22 13:50:21 UTC #2

I was taught in tech class to work in RGB then convert it to cmyk for printing. So that's the most I know.

shazzbaa 2017-02-22 13:55:00 UTC #3

This is more or less the advice I've always heard! Work in CMYK, and then convert a file to RGB in order to post it online. This is what I do!

The only real disadvantages are that (1) there are some colours that simply don't print, which won't be available to you in CMYK. Some scenes could look nicer on the screen with a pop of neon colour that you don't have in your toolbox... though that's a fairly tiny issue, and (2) CMYK files are bigger. There are also other options now -- photoshop, for example, has a way to work in RGB but check how your work is looking in CMYK, and it alerts you when you're about to use an unprintable colour so you can just, not use that colour, which means it's now possible to work in RGB and then convert your print file into CMYK without losing anything.

So TL;DR, starting in CMYK is a good idea, but it's not as big a deal as it used to be! (I'm not an expert, though, so anyone who is, feel free to correct me!)

AnnaLandin 2017-02-22 15:00:21 UTC #4

I work in RGB, because Manga Studio 5 (i.e: Clip Studio Paint) does not support working in CMYK - but it does support previewing and exporting in CMYK.

Thus far, the work I've printed has come out looking fine even though they are originally drawn in RGB. A few of the brightest blues come out a bit duller, but otherwise, it looks just fine. I do always make sure to get a proof copy before I okay the full print-run, just so I can double-check that everything looks the way it's supposed to.

Also IIRC, some printers these days ask for RGB instead of CMYK, though I'm not entirely sure why?

Gaspode12 2017-02-22 15:30:42 UTC #5

Ah cool, that makes a lot of sense! I think I might start working the way you do in the future. Yes I saw the option to see when a RGB colour wouldn't print, but knowing me I would forget to check and then have to go back and edit stuff which is always a pain! Anyway thanks for the info!

Gaspode12 2017-02-22 15:32:58 UTC #6

Ah right that's good to know because as it happens I just bought clip studio paint yesterday! It will probably be a while before I can figure it and use it though. Interesting that you've had no problem with printing up to now though. Perhaps it's not as big a problem as it seems,bit yeah a good idea to always get a proof first! Thanks!

Mocha 2017-02-22 17:25:04 UTC #7

I try to work with cmyk if I know I'm going to print it or if I'm using acrylic paints, otherwise if it stays digital rgb is usually fine.

AnnaLandin 2017-02-22 18:27:46 UTC #8

There is a difference between the digital version and the printed version when you draw in RGB! It's just that so far, in my experience, it hasn't been big enough for me to worry about much. Then again, I tend to not use the bright, popping neon colours that are the hardest to replicate in print.

jbladder 2017-02-22 18:51:51 UTC #9

I would work in whatever format is priority for you right now - if you're primarily posting your content online, I would stick with RGB and just convert to CMYK later! I don't see a big advantage in working in CMYK right now, which as others have said is somewhat less appropriate for digital art, if right now you're just posting things online.

beerpongmanga 2017-02-22 18:55:23 UTC #10

CMYK is used for printing while RGB is more typical for digital.

RGB has a broader range of colors so it's always best to go from RGB -> CMYK rather than the other way around. Otherwise you lose a little bit of color.

Sometimes if you publish online on CMYK it will turn out funny because the website / platform is not equipped to handle it.

Here is a good resource that goes in depth about the differences:

http://www.printninja.com/printing-resource-center/printing-academy/advanced-concepts/cmyk-vs-rgb-advanced-explanation

zoonland 2017-02-22 19:08:18 UTC #11

I always color my comics in RGB mode.
If I have to print it, I convert it to CMYK.

Shanny8 2017-02-22 19:39:59 UTC #12

I color my comics in RGB, and convert to CMYK if I need to. Most print on demand companies that I use will convert the work themselves and print it. Only company that I've worked with that required me to convert to CMYK before sending the files is RA Comics Direct.

@AnnaLandin yeah, that's the only issues I've had with printing- when the bright "glowy" blue prints out a little duller than it expected.

blinkingkills 2017-02-22 19:57:49 UTC #13

Inkjet printers will prefer your file be in RGB because they do the translation to print themselves and cymk doesn't help them. if you are using a color laser printer, the printer will work better if you convert to cymk

Anthea 2017-02-22 20:25:47 UTC #14

RGB are digital colours, refers to the primary colours of light, Red, Green and Blue, that are used in monitors, television screens, digital cameras and scanners. CMYK refers to the primary colours of pigment: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black which are used for printing.
If you have a comic that you plan on printing in the future you colour it in CMYK, save a copy as RGB if/when your posting online but keep your original PS file as CMYK.

Gaspode12 2017-02-23 00:11:17 UTC #15

Wow thanks for all the great advise guys! Perhaps I'm best of sticking to RGB for now then as most have suggested. This is what I had always thought was the best but as the DC coloring and Lettering book I have suggested CMYK it threw me. Perhaps it is just a little out of date. I think the book is a few years old.

Shanny8 2017-02-23 01:32:00 UTC #16

@Gaspode12 you only want to use CMYK if you're going to print only and the printer doesnt convert it for you. If you're just uploading it online, you can stay with RGB...if you're going to do both- check the printer's requirements first before you convert the files.

ToxicRamen 2017-02-23 02:30:02 UTC #17

I would use RGB just by default. I never considered of changing the color to CMYK.

lunaartemisasama 2017-02-23 03:34:17 UTC #18

CMYK is for printing and RGB for web and stuff. If you know that you are going to print your work is better to work with cmyk from the beginning because colors may change when you switch it at the end.

Wolven_Sister 2017-03-01 02:44:07 UTC #19

For personal use, I use RGB. Even when I print it I still use it as RGB and never had any problems with it being too dark or anything.

For some published comics I've worked on with writers, it's typically their preference to have me work in CMYK. I don't really like working in CMYK cause I never know if the colors I'm using works or not so it always turns out weird and is nothing by trial and error. But I'll admit, the finished product does look very nice and vibrant.

SynergyEclipse 2017-03-01 03:30:09 UTC #20

I work in RGB because I haven't had any plans on printing in color, and RGB allows for a wider range of color. I'd convert to CYMK if I planned to print.