Design

What is RGB?

RGB is the additive color model used by screens. Files designed for screens should remain in RGB until the moment they're prepared for print.

Definition

RGB is the additive color model used by screens. Files designed for screens should remain in RGB until the moment they're prepared for print.

Why it matters

Understanding RGB is foundational to working in design. It shapes how teams plan, communicate with stakeholders, and interpret performance.

Best practices

  • Define it in shared documentation so every team uses the same meaning.
  • Tie it to a measurable outcome rather than treating it as an end in itself.
  • Revisit assumptions quarterly — the meaning and benchmarks evolve.

Common mistakes

  • Treating it as a vanity metric instead of a decision input.
  • Copying competitors' targets without context for your funnel.
  • Optimizing it in isolation, hurting downstream conversion.
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