RGB – For Screens
Stands for: Red, Green, Blue
Used for: Anything digital (websites, apps, social media)
- RGB is how screens create color by mixing light.
- Combining red, green, and blue light in different amounts gives you all the colors you see on a screen.
- Brightest and most vibrant for digital use
- Not used for print because what looks bright on screen may print duller.
HEX – Digital Color Codes
Stands for: Hexadecimal (a 6-digit color code, like
#FF0000)Used for: Web design and digital media (HTML, CSS)
- HEX is just another way to represent RGB colors, but in code form.
- It’s how web developers and designers specify exact colors on screens.
- Precise color codes for websites
- Not used in printing directly
CMYK – For Printing
Stands for: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Used for: Full-color printing
- CMYK uses ink instead of light.
- It prints by layering tiny dots of colored ink to form images.
- Designed for physical materials.
- Most common system for printed materials
- Doesn’t match RGB exactly because printed colors may look slightly duller
Pantone – For Exact Print Matching
Stands for: Pantone Matching System (PMS)
Used for: Branding, logos, packaging, premium print jobs
- Pantone provides pre-mixed, standardized colors.
- Each color has a specific code (like Pantone 286 C).
- Used when consistency is critical — across printers, materials, and locations.
- Ensures the exact same color prints every time
- Fewer color options overall
System | Used For | Type | Example | Strength |
| RGB | Screens | Light-based | R255 G0 B0 | Bright, vibrant colors |
| HEX | Screens/web | Code-based | #FF0000 | Exact color for websites/apps |
| CMYK | Printing | Ink-based | C0 M100 Y100 K0 | Full-color print jobs |
| Pantone | Print (branding) | Pre-mixed ink | Pantone 186 C | Exact, consistent spot color |