PMS vs. CMYK vs. RGB vs. HEX
If you work with design, marketing, or localization, you won't get far without talking colors clearly. Color models are the language we use to brief vendors, hand off assets, and keep brand colors consistent across screens and print. Here’s the straight-talk guide I share with project teams.
Color model, color space, profile—what's the difference?
- A color model is the math (RGB, CMYK).
- A color space is a defined version of that model (sRGB, Display-P3, Adobe RGB, FOGRA39).
- A profile (ICC) tells software how to interpret that space so your teal doesn't turn into gray on another device.
Keep that mental model handy. It explains 90% of "why does this look different?"
The big four you'll actually use
- PMS (Pantone® Matching System) — Print spot colors
PMS is a library of premixed inks. If your logo red must be that red on every press worldwide, PMS is your friend. It's also how you get metallics and fluorescents. - CMYK — Process inks for print
CMYK mixes tiny dots of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black to simulate full color. This is what brochures, posters, and packaging run on. - RGB — Light on screens
RGB is how monitors and phones make color. Most web and app pipelines use sRGB. Some Apple-heavy workflows use Display-P3 (wider gamut). - HEX — Notation for RGB on the web
HEX is simply a way to write RGB values (usually sRGB) in CSS, like#0057FF. It's perfect for design tokens and front-end systems.
Conversions: what works, what bites
- RGB → CMYK: Highly saturated colors (neon greens/oranges) dull down. Use the printer's profile, soft-proof, and tune your builds.
- PMS → CMYK/RGB: Close match only. If legal or brand governance requires exactness, don't convert; specify the spot.
- CMYK → RGB/HEX: Fine for digital previews, but you may want to nudge values to restore punch.
- Wide-gamut → sRGB: Expect compression; validate key brand colors.
Quick FAQ
- Do HEX and RGB match 1:1? Yes—if they're both in the same space (typically sRGB).
- When do I use Pantone? When exact spot color consistency matters or when you need specialty inks.
- Why does the print look dull compared to my screen? Your monitor displays light (RGB), paper reflects ink (CMYK). Different gamuts; profile and proofing mitigate the gap.
- Can I “force” a neon on paper? Only with specialty inks (e.g., fluorescent Pantone), not standard CMYK.
