COLOR SYSTEMS CHEATSHEET
FOR DESIGNERS
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
× Use For: Digital designs, web, and screen displays.
× Mechanism: Additive; mixes light in red, green, and blue.
Tip: Ideal for anything viewed on electronic displays.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black)
× Use For: Print materials (brochures, posters).
× Mechanism: Subtractive; combines cyan, magenta,
yellow, and black inks.
Tip: Use for all print projects to ensure color accuracy.
HEX Codes
× Use For: Web design and digital media.
× Mechanism: Represents RGB colors in hexadecimal
format.
Tip: Essential for precise color specification in web
development.
Pantone Matching System (PMS)
× Use For: Print and product design for consistent color.
× Mechanism: Standardized color matching with specific
codes.
Tip: Use for projects requiring exact color matches, especially
brand colors.
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness)
× Use For: Digital design, web design, and graphic software.
× Mechanism: Describes colors by hue, saturation, and
lightness.
Tip: Useful for adjusting color attributes and creating
gradients.
Lab Color
× Use For: Color calibration and digital imaging.
× Mechanism: Device-independent, based on human vision.
Tip: Use for projects that require color consistency across
different devices.
Key Points
× Output-Based Selection: Choose the system based on
project output (digital or print).
× Consistency: Use Pantone for precise color matching in
print materials.
× Digital Accuracy: Opt for HEX in web design for exact
color representation.
× Cross-Media Integrity: Understand system conversions
(e.g., RGB to CMYK) for consistent colors.
× Calibration: Regularly calibrate devices for true-to-design
color accuracy.