CMYKfarver

CMYK refers to the subtractive color model used in color printing. The acronym stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black). These four colors are combined in varying percentages to create a wide spectrum of printable colors.

Cyan is a bluish-green color, magenta is a purplish-red, and yellow is a bright yellow. Black, often referred to as "Key" because it was historically used to imprint the key details or outlines on a plate, is essential for creating true blacks and adding depth and contrast to images.

In the CMYK model, colors are created by subtracting light. When white light, containing all colors, hits a surface printed with CMYK inks, the inks absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. For example, cyan ink absorbs red light and reflects blue and green light, making the ink appear cyan. Combining cyan and magenta inks absorbs red and green light, reflecting primarily blue light, resulting in a dark, purplish color.

The process of converting digital images, typically viewed in an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) model, to CMYK is called color separation. This conversion is crucial for ensuring that the colors seen on a screen are accurately reproduced in print. Different printing processes and paper types can affect the final CMYK output, and calibration is often necessary to achieve consistent results. CMYK is the standard for commercial printing, including magazines, brochures, and packaging.