CMYKvärijärjestelmät

CMYKvärijärjestelmät, also known as subtractive color models, are used in color printing. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black). In this system, colors are created by subtracting light from a white surface. Each ink absorbs certain wavelengths of light and reflects others. Cyan ink absorbs red light, magenta absorbs green light, and yellow absorbs blue light. When these inks are layered together on a white substrate, they absorb different combinations of light, resulting in a wide range of visible colors.

Black ink, or "Key," is included because mixing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks does not produce a pure black. Instead, it often results in a dark, muddy brown. Using a separate black ink provides deeper blacks and is also more economical for printing text and large dark areas. The proportion of each ink used is specified as a percentage, with 100% of an ink meaning it is fully applied. For example, a vibrant red might be achieved with 0% cyan, 100% magenta, 100% yellow, and 0% black.

CMYK is the standard color model for professional printing, including magazines, brochures, and packaging. It is important to note that the colors produced by CMYK printing can vary depending on the specific inks, paper, and printing process used. Therefore, color management and calibration are crucial to achieving consistent and predictable results in print. Digital devices like monitors typically use RGB (Red, Green, Blue), an additive color model, which means a conversion process is necessary when moving from digital design to print.