Additive vs Subtractive Color: RGB vs CMYK for Designers
Learn the difference between additive (RGB) and subtractive (CMYK) color models. Understand why screens and printers use different systems.
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Tags: color, design, theory
Additive vs Subtractive Color: Light vs Pigment Two fundamentally different physical processes produce color in the world: adding light wavelengths together and absorbing light wavelengths using pigments or inks. These processes behave in opposite ways — mixing all additive colors produces white, while mixing all subtractive colors produces black. Understanding this distinction is essential for anyone who works across digital and print contexts. Additive Color Mixing (Light) Additive mixing is what happens when you combine colored light sources. The key physical principle: light starts from darkness (zero photons) and adding light sources increases brightness. How it works: Start with a black screen (no light) Red, green, and blue are the additive primaries Adding all three at full…
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