Analog and Digital Color

by Thiago A

What is a Pixel?

The smallest piece of data in a digital image is called a pixel, Which is the building block of creating digital images. The two-dimensional grid that holds the positions of pixels is represented by squares. Each pixel in the original image is formed by components like RGB, and the more pixels that an image is created by, the higher the quality of the image will be (Source).

Additive Vs Subtractive

The essential use of Additive and Subtractive color spaces is the use of RGB and CMYK. RGB (Red Green Blue) is an Additive Color Mix that is used to create other colors on a digital screen. Mixing Red, Green, and Blue is used to create the illusion of white light. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key aka Black) is a Subtractive Color Mix that is used to create colors in print. The use of CMYK on print is used to create the color black, and the inverse is used to create white. The difference between RGB and CMYK or Additive Color Space and Subtractive Color Space is the resulting projection. Additive Color Space is the start of a Black Screen, But the Addition/Combination of RGB, Creates a Visual of White light. Meanwhile, Subtractive Color Space is the start of a Blank White Paper, But with the Addition/Combination of CMYK, Creates a Visual of Black Print with these in mind, How do these terms correlate...? (Source)

How is Color Viewed on Computer Monitors vs on Print...

So now that we established that RGB is an Additive Color Mix used digitally and CMYK is a Subtractive Color Mix used in Print, There is an issue that Designers face when these two mixes coexist. Understanding Color means that Designers have to know to NOT trust your computer monitor, as the RGB can vary between different screens. This is why Designers require pre-press proofs before submitting a job to print.

Additive Color Sliders Values in InDesign Vs Subtractive Color Sliders Values in InDesign

Designer Programs such as InDesign offer these Color Formats in the Color Selection Menu, Let's see how we would get the Colors White and Black using these formats. When selecting colors in programs, Designers are given the option to use tools such as Preset Colors. However, Most of the time, Designers will find themselves at the Color Slider Values as they help get more accurate Colors for Creational Values. 

Values for CMYK are set in Percentage, Which is used to portray the Percentage of Colors is used. For example, If you wanted a Gold Color in CMYK, You would set 0% Cyan, 16% Magenta, 100% Yellow, and 0% Black. When all the CMYK Slider Values are set at 0%, We will be given White. When the Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow Values are all set as 100%, We will be given Black. Finally, when the Key Value (aka Black) is set at 100%, We will be given Black. These all follow the Subtractive Color Space terms that follow the White to Black Color Pigment. 

CMY 0%, K 100%

CMY 100%, K 0%

CMYK 0%

Values for RGB are set in Coded Light Levels which Maximize to a Value of 255 Levels of Concentrated Color. For example, If you wanted a Gold Color in RGB, You would Set Red to 255, Green to 215, and Blue to 0. When all the RGB Slider Values are set at 0, We will be given Black. When the RGB Values are all set as 100%, We will be given White. These all follow the Additive Color Space terms that follow the Black to White Screen Levels.

RGB 0

RGB