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What is CMYK? How to use CMYK in design

A venn diagram showing how the four CMYK colors interactA venn diagram showing how the four CMYK colors interact

If you’ve ever designed a logo that would be printed on business cards, flyers, or other marketing materials, then you know just how important a role the CMYK color model plays.

CMYK is a color model system that’s the foundation for all print design. Understanding this model is essential for designers because it ensures color accuracy and high-quality resolution in printed materials.

Keep reading to learn more about:

  • What the CMYK color model is.
  • The difference between RGB and CMYK.
  • Why CMYK is important for printing.
  • When to use CMYK.
  • How to convert RGB to CMYK.
  • How to maintain color consistency with Figma.

CMYK definition

CMYK is a color model used in printing to create a wide range of colors by combining four different colors:

  1. Cyan (C), a bluish-green color
  2. Magenta (M), a purplish-red color
  3. Yellow (Y), a bright yellow
  4. Key (K), black, represented by K

The letter "K" stands for "key," a term used for the black plate in traditional printing. This key plate provided the sharpest details and defined the darkest areas of the image. As a result, the term "key" became associated with black in the printing industry. It also helps avoid any confusion with other colors or terms like blue.

The four colors that make up the CMYK color model The four colors that make up the CMYK color model

These four colors play specific roles in the printing process. Designers layer different amounts of cyan, magenta, and yellow to create a range of colors. Black is used to achieve depth and contrast in printed materials.

For instance, a combination like C = 0, M = 50, Y = 100, K = 0 produces a bright orange color.

To produce regular black (also known as "true black”), only the key (black) color is applied at full intensity ( C = 0, M = 0, Y = 0, K = 100). For a deeper black, cyan, magenta, and yellow combine with key. This “rich black” is used for large areas of solid black in printing, with a typical combination of C = 60, M = 60, Y = 60, K = 100.

RGB vs. CMYK 

While CMYK is for printed materials, the RGB color model is for screens and digital content. RGB colors (red, green, and blue) add light to create color. CMYK colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and key) produce color by subtracting light.

RGB colors combine to create a wide array of vibrant hues, making them ideal for screens and phones. CMYK colors subtract light to produce colors best for physical materials like paper and fabric.

Comparison of the RGB vs CMYK color models Comparison of the RGB vs CMYK color models

Why is CMYK important for printing? 

CMYK is important for printing because it provides color consistency in, for example, posters and packaging. CMYK's subtractive color model provides uniform results. This guarantees that prints on paper, fabric, and other materials look consistent—critical to protect the integrity of your brand’s style and ensuring prints match the original design.

Here are a few file types best suited to support CMYK colors:

  • Portable document formats (PDFs): These are ideal for CMYK files because they work with a wide range of programs.
  • Adobe Illustrator (AI) files: AI files support CMYK color mode, ideal for creating vector graphics.
  • Encapsulated PostScript (EPS): EPS files are vector-based and support CMYK color mode.
The best file types for CMYKThe best file types for CMYK

When to use CMYK: 

You should use CMYK colors for designs you plan to print, including:

  • Business cards
  • Posters
  • Billboards
  • Stationary
  • Swag (T-shirts, mugs, pens)
  • Flyers
  • Brochures
  • Product packaging
  • Menus
  • Banners

For brands that focus on both print and web design, having the right tools to ensure colors translate correctly is essential. Platforms like Figma excel in UI design, while plugins like Print for Figma convert projects and marketing materials to CMYK for printing purposes.

Converting RGB to CMYK 

While RGB colors look great on digital screens, their appearance can change when translated to print. Before you bring your digital designs to life on paper, converting them to CMYK is crucial.

Transitioning from RGB to CMYK can involve subtle adjustments because some hues might shift slightly during conversion. It's important to fine-tune these colors to preserve the vibrancy and accuracy of your original design.

Maintain color consistency with Figma

Color consistency is crucial in design, and Figma makes it easier than ever. Here’s how:

  • Figma’s collaborative design tool offers real-time collaboration and color management tools for consistent color palettes across all development stages.
  • Explore Figma’s design community and try popular color plugins to create professional color palettes to share with your team.
  • Confidently print your Figma designs in CMYK using Print for Figma.

Ready to elevate your design workflow?

Ready to elevate your design workflow?

Maintain color consistency with Figma