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RAL® to CMYK convert

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Convert from RAL® to CMYK

Quick explanation

If you want to use an industrial or architectural RAL® colour for print, you can convert from RAL to CMYK. The pigment-based RAL shade is translated into the four process colours Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black) used in professional printing.

The conversion from RAL to CMYK is essential when transferring coatings, paints or wall colours into packaging or printed materials. qConv automatically calculates the CMYK value closest to your RAL colour and displays the ΔE deviation and suggested alternatives.

Since RAL uses pigments and CMYK uses subtractive light mixing, slight shifts may occur. Still, converting RAL to CMYK provides a reliable match for accurate print results.

How does it work?

When converting RAL to CMYK, the RAL LAB reference values are transformed into the CMYK colour space. qConv calculates the four ink percentages to visually match the original tone.

The output is a printable CMYK value such as cmyk(0%, 90%, 100%, 0%). qConv also provides RGB and HEX equivalents for cross-media design consistency.

This RAL-to-CMYK conversion is crucial for brand consistency across physical products and printed media.

Example & application

Example: RAL 3020 Traffic Red converts approximately to cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 0%). qConv displays the exact value with ΔE and optional gloss/matte or coated/uncoated variations.

The conversion from RAL to CMYK is ideal for corporate design, packaging and print workflows. qConv helps you match pigment-based tones to printing standards accurately.

* Note:

qConv.com searches for the next matching color from the selected color palette. In most cases, there will be minimal or apparent color differences because there is not an exact match for every color.

RAL® Color System

Short Description

The RAL® color system is an internationally recognized standard for defining and communicating colors. Originating in Germany in 1927, RAL established a consistent catalog that assigns each color a unique four-digit number, such as “RAL 3020 Traffic Red.”

The classic RAL® palette includes 213 standardized colors in the RAL Classic collection. Each tone is precisely defined to ensure color consistency across materials, manufacturers, and applications. Beyond RAL Classic, there are also the RAL Design System Plus and RAL Effect lines, offering more than 2,500 colors for architecture, product design, and industrial coatings.

Usage

RAL® is widely used in architecture, construction, automotive, and industrial manufacturing to define exact color specifications for paints, coatings, and materials. It is the standard reference for designers, engineers, and production companies that require accurate and repeatable color matching worldwide.

Designers often use RAL colors when creating brand elements, interiors, and exterior coatings. The universal numbering system ensures that a chosen RAL color looks the same across all production environments.

Tips for Designers & Engineers

When selecting RAL colors, consider the surface finish — glossy, matte, or textured coatings can affect perception. Always compare samples under realistic lighting conditions. The RAL Design System Plus offers finer gradations for designers who need nuanced hues for product and interior applications.

With qConv, you can convert RAL® colors to HEX, RGB, CMYK, Pantone® or HKS® formats, making it easy to align digital and physical color specifications within your design process.

CMYK color profile

Short description

The CMYK color model (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is the standard color space for professional four-color printing. It describes how colors are created by mixing printing inks on physical material - usually paper. In contrast to RGB, which adds light colors, CMYK works subtractively: the more color is applied, the less light is reflected - and the darker the result appears.

Each of the four colors can have a value between 0% and 100%. A high percentage value stands for high color coverage in the print. By combining these values, several trillion CMYK color tones can be generated - however, the displayable color gamut is lower than that of RGB, which is why conversions can lead to visible color deviations.

Use

The CMYK color system is the industry standard in printing - from magazines, catalogs and packaging to corporate designs. Every professional print shop works with CMYK color profiles (e.g. ISO Coated v2, FOGRA39) to ensure consistent and accurate color results. Designers should therefore convert their RGB or HEX colors to CMYK before approving them for printing in order to minimize colour deviations.

In digital design programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or Affinity Designer, the CMYK color space can be selected directly as a working profile. This allows printing colors to be simulated exactly and checked visually at an early stage.

Tips for designers & agencies

When converting screen colors (RGB/HEX) to CMYK, note that particularly bright blue, green and neon tones appear duller in print. A soft proof preview helps to assess the color appearance. For corporate designs, use CMYK color values from verified brand guidelines or Pantone references to achieve consistent print results.

When working with qConv, you can convert any digital color to exact CMYK values in seconds, compare color deviations and even generate matching alternative palettes.

Popular conversions

RGB to HEX

convert from RGB red green blue to #RRGGBB

RGB to CMYK

convert from RGB red green blue to CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black

Icons

RGB to RAL®

convert from RGB red green blue to RAL®-number (RAL 0000)

RGB to HKS®

convert from RGB red green blue to HKS®-number (HKS 00)

RGB to PANTONE®

convert from RGB red green blue to Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000)

RGB to Sherwin Williams®

convert from RGB red green blue to Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000)

RGB to NCS®

convert from RGB red green blue to NCS-number (S0000-X00X)

nsc-logo

RGBA to HEX

convert from RGBA red green blue transparency to #RRGGBB

RGBA to CMYK

convert from RGBA red green blue transparency to CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black

Icons

RGBA to RAL®

convert from RGBA red green blue transparency to RAL®-number (RAL 0000)

RGBA to HKS®

convert from RGBA red green blue transparency to HKS®-number (HKS 00)

RGBA to PANTONE®

convert from RGBA red green blue transparency to Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000)

RGBA to Sherwin Williams®

convert from RGBA red green blue transparency to Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000)

RGBA to NCS®

convert from RGBA red green blue transparency to NCS-number (S0000-X00X)

nsc-logo

CMYK to HEX

convert from CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black to #RRGGBB

CMYK to RGB

convert from CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black to RGB red green blue

CMYK to RGBA

convert from CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black to RGBA red green blue transparency

CMYK to RAL®

convert from CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black to RAL®-number (RAL 0000)

CMYK to HKS®

convert from CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black to HKS®-number (HKS 00)

CMYK to PANTONE®

convert from CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black to Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000)

CMYK to Sherwin Williams®

convert from CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black to Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000)

CMYK to NCS®

convert from CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black to NCS-number (S0000-X00X)

nsc-logo

HEX to RGB

convert from #RRGGBB to RGB red green blue

HEX to RGBA

convert from #RRGGBB to RGBA red green blue transparency

HEX to CMYK

convert from #RRGGBB to CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black

Icons

HEX to RAL®

convert from #RRGGBB to RAL®-number (RAL 0000)

HEX to HKS®

convert from #RRGGBB to HKS®-number (HKS 00)

HEX to PANTONE®

convert from #RRGGBB to Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000)

HEX to Sherwin Williams®

convert from #RRGGBB to Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000)

HEX to NCS®

convert from #RRGGBB to NCS-number (S0000-X00X)

nsc-logo

RAL® to RGB

convert from RAL®-number (RAL 0000) to RGB red green blue

RAL® to RGBA

convert from RAL®-number (RAL 0000) to RGBA red green blue transparency

RAL® to CMYK

convert from RAL®-number (RAL 0000) to CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black

Icons

RAL® to HEX

convert from RAL®-number (RAL 0000) to #RRGGBB

RAL® to HKS®

convert from RAL®-number (RAL 0000) to HKS®-number (HKS 00)

RAL® to PANTONE®

convert from RAL®-number (RAL 0000) to Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000)

RAL® to Sherwin Williams®

convert from RAL®-number (RAL 0000) to Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000)

RAL® to NCS®

convert from RAL®-number (RAL 0000) to NCS-number (S0000-X00X)

nsc-logo

HKS® to RGB

convert from HKS®-number (HKS 00) to RGB red green blue

HKS® to RGBA

convert from HKS®-number (HKS 00) to RGBA red green blue transparency

HKS® to CMYK

convert from HKS®-number (HKS 00) to CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black

Icons

HKS® to HEX

convert from HKS®-number (HKS 00) to #RRGGBB

HKS® to RAL®

convert from HKS®-number (HKS 00) to RAL®-number (RAL 0000)

HKS® to PANTONE®

convert from HKS®-number (HKS 00) to Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000)

HKS® to Sherwin Williams®

convert from HKS®-number (HKS 00) to Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000)

HKS® to NCS®

convert from HKS®-number (HKS 00) to NCS-number (S0000-X00X)

nsc-logo

PANTONE® to RGB

convert from Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000) to RGB red green blue

PANTONE® to RGBA

convert from Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000) to RGBA red green blue transparency

PANTONE® to CMYK

convert from Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000) to CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black

Icons

PANTONE® to HEX

convert from Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000) to #RRGGBB

PANTONE® to RAL®

convert from Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000) to RAL®-number (RAL 0000)

PANTONE® to HKS®

convert from Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000) to HKS®-number (HKS 00)

PANTONE® to Sherwin Williams®

convert from Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000) to Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000)

PANTONE® to NCS®

convert from Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000) to NCS-number (S0000-X00X)

nsc-logo

Sherwin Williams® to RGB

convert from Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000) to RGB red green blue

Sherwin Williams® to RGBA

convert from Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000) to RGBA red green blue transparency

Sherwin Williams® to CMYK

convert from Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000) to CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black

Icons

Sherwin Williams® to HEX

convert from Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000) to #RRGGBB

Sherwin Williams® to RAL®

convert from Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000) to RAL®-number (RAL 0000)

Sherwin Williams® to HKS®

convert from Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000) to HKS®-number (HKS 00)

Sherwin Williams® to PANTONE®

convert from Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000) to Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000)

Sherwin Williams® to NCS®

convert from Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000) to NCS-number (S0000-X00X)

nsc-logo

NCS® to RGB

convert from NCS-number (S0000-X00X) to RGB red green blue

NCS® to RGBA

convert from NCS-number (S0000-X00X) to RGBA red green blue transparency

NCS® to CMYK

convert from NCS-number (S0000-X00X) to CMYK cyan / magenta / yellow / black

Icons

NCS® to HEX

convert from NCS-number (S0000-X00X) to #RRGGBB

NCS® to RAL®

convert from NCS-number (S0000-X00X) to RAL®-number (RAL 0000)

NCS® to HKS®

convert from NCS-number (S0000-X00X) to HKS®-number (HKS 00)

NCS® to PANTONE®

convert from NCS-number (S0000-X00X) to Pantone®-number (Pantone 0000)

NCS® to Sherwin Williams®

convert from NCS-number (S0000-X00X) to Sherwin Williams®-number (SW 0000)

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