Adobe RGB and sRGB and color gamut

RGB / CMYK COLOR GAMUT

How to control your colors


RGB & CMYK What are the differences

RGB colors are comprised of Red, Blue, and Green. These colors are additive, which means as you add the colors together, white is created. You see this on screens and projectors. You can print in RGB, however the color will be difficult to anticipate since most* printing presses use CMYK based inks. *Only some digital printing presses can use RGB.

CMYK colors are comprised of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These colors are defined as subtractive, as you add the color together, they form black.

Graphics created for online use cannot be CMYK, since screens can only display RGB colors through the use of colored light.

RGB Colors are additive with applied light.

CMYK Colors are subtractive due to colorants in the ink.


Color gamut refers to the range of colors that can be reproduced by any device or system. Color reproduction can be done by a printer, a screen, a projection, or the human eye.

The visible spectrum includes an enormous amount of color, however many devices simply cannot replicate the colors found in nature.

The screen colors RGB have the largest color range that can be produced by a device, As display technology evolves, more color can be displayed through screens. Adobe RGB is an addition to sRGB, the standard for most dSLR cameras.

CMYK has a very limited color range as seen by the color spectrum.

COLOR GAMUTHow RGB and CMYK differ.


The visible color gamut is larger than RGB and even larger than CMYK.


Most of the differences in the two color profiles occur in the fluorescent oranges and greens. Many of the colors from CMYK cannot be converted from an RGB color space. In situations like this, you need to work in the color profile you think would work best for your medium.

Since there is a visible shift in RGB and CMYK colors, it’s important to know what colors are most likely to shift and how much. Many of the “vivid” colors here shift to colors that are more “muted”.


Some common colors, such as black, look very different in different RGB profiles (Adobe RGB and sRGB), and it’s especially true regarding CMYK. When you convert to different RGB profiles, some colors shift due to different color ranges. Common RGB colors, such as red are mixtures of Magenta and Yellow in CMYK, leaving room for interpretation of color.

WORKING WITH COLORHow RGB and CMYK differ.

RGB BlackR: 0G: 0B: 0

CMYK BlackC: 0M: 0Y: 0K: 100

CMYK Rich BlackC: 25M: 35Y: 35K: 100


Looking at the difference in Adobe and sRGB, Adobe RGB displays more deep green and blue colors than sRGB, which is due to the larger color gamut. When you convert to a color in Photoshop, often times you’ll get unexpected results.

When you convert from RGB to CMYK, you loose a lot of the color profile, especially in the fluorescent colors, like oranges, greens, and blues. Working with color correction techniques in Photoshop can help correct the “muddy” effects of RGB. You should be color correcting EVERY image you have anyway, so this is part of the design process.

WORKING WITH COLORHow to get the most out of RGB and CMYK.

sRGB CMYKAdobe RGB


Photographers shoot with different color profiles and need to convert to sRGB when using a commercial presses. Unfortunately, you don’t control the color profiles that printers use for their digital and offset presses. In fact, most office printers use sRGB color profiles as their default. TIP: Commercial printers convert to CMYK for most production work.

Always work in the native color profile your photograph was shot in and convert to sRGB or CMYK right before final production if you’re printing the piece. Working in RGB allows the best use of your file, and it saves file space. (RGB files are smaller than CMYK by about 30%).

Access Color Settings through Edit > Color Settings. Select a working color space.

WORKING WITH COLORHow to work with Adobe RGB and sRGB


WORKING WITH COLORChanging Color Profiles in Photoshop

In Photoshop, you can assign a color profile under Edit > Assign Profile. This will convert your photograph to the color profile of your choice, and you can work with this for the duration of your edits.


When submitting your photograph for print:

Ask your printer what color profile they use for their production. Most of the time, they’ll appreciate the question and tell you about the production techniques they use. If you don’t ask, your photo might turn out completely different from what you intend.

Pro TIP: In Photoshop, under View > Gamut Warning, any color covered in grey will not be able to be reproduced in a traditional or commercial printer. Only by color correction techniques in CMYK mode will the colors be able to be produced and gamut will be limited to the production values.

WORKING WITH COLORHow to work with CMYK


Designers work with different color gamuts for almost every project, and it’s important to know how to work within both the RGB and CMYK profiles.

As mentioned above, always work in RGB and convert to CMYK right before final production if you’re printing the piece. Working in RGB allows the best use of your file, and it saves file space.

However, there is a better way through Color Proofing. Under View > Proof Colors (Make sure your Proof Setup is on Working CMYK). If you toggle the Proof Colors option, you don’t need to switch between colors.

Pro TIP: Microsoft Programs only run RGB, so you cannot submit CMYK photographs in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Publisher.

WORKING WITH COLORHow to work with CMYK


WORKING WITH COLORChanging from RGB to CMYK in Photoshop

In Photoshop > Mode > RGB / CMYK options are available to toggle between color profiles.

Image > Mode > CMYK Color.


BE CREATIVE WITH COLOR.YOU CAN DO A LOT BY USING A LITTLE BIT OF COLOR.

YOU CAN DO A LOT BY USING A LITTLE BIT OF COLOR.

Art & Photos

Adobe RGB and sRGB and color gamut