Based on the provided reference, PMS is neither CMYK nor RGB. Instead, PMS is a separate color system that is categorized alongside CMYK as a "printed color space," while RGB is defined as the "visual color space."
Decoding Color Systems for Print and Digital
Understanding the difference between color systems like PMS, CMYK, and RGB is crucial, especially when designing for both digital displays and print. While they all deal with color, they represent and reproduce color in fundamentally different ways.
As stated in the reference: "Think of RGB as the visual color space. Think of PMS and CMYK as the printed color space." This highlights a key distinction:
- RGB is for visual display (screens).
- PMS and CMYK are for printed output.
The reference further notes, "Though there is some overlap between the CMYK and the RGB color systems, they are very different." and "RGB must be converted to CMYK before a job is printed." This underscores that CMYK and RGB are distinct and require conversion between the two domains.
While PMS and CMYK are both used for printing, they are not the same thing.
What is PMS?
PMS stands for Pantone Matching System. It is a proprietary system used in various industries, primarily manufacturing printing, though sometimes fabric, plastics, colored pigments, etc.
- Spot Colors: PMS colors are typically spot colors. This means each color is pre-mixed with a specific ink formula before being applied to paper in a single pass on a printing press.
- Consistency: The main advantage of PMS is color consistency across different printers and materials. A specific PMS number (like Pantone 185 C) represents an exact, standardized color.
What is CMYK?
CMYK is a process color model used in four-color printing.
- Process Colors: It uses four ink colors—Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black)—to create a wide range of colors by printing tiny dots of each color in different patterns.
- Printing Range: CMYK is used for full-color images like photographs. It can reproduce a broad spectrum of colors, but its range (gamut) is generally smaller than RGB and some PMS colors.
What is RGB?
RGB is an additive color model used in digital devices.
- Digital Display: It uses combinations of Red, Green, and Blue light to create colors on screens (monitors, phones, TVs).
- Larger Gamut: RGB typically has a larger color gamut than CMYK, meaning it can display more vibrant colors.
Key Differences Summarized
Here’s a simple comparison based on their primary use and the reference:
| Color System | Primary Use | Based on Reference Category | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| RGB | Digital Display | Visual Color Space | Additive |
| CMYK | Process Printing | Printed Color Space | Subtractive |
| PMS | Spot Color Printing | Printed Color Space | Spot Color |
Therefore, PMS is a distinct system from both CMYK and RGB. It's designed for printing, similar to CMYK, but serves a different purpose (spot color accuracy versus process color reproduction) and is fundamentally separate from the digital display system, RGB.
