CMYKvärimalli

CMYK is a subtractive color model used in color printing. The letters stand for the colors of the inks used: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). In a subtractive color model, white light is reflected off a surface, and certain wavelengths of light are absorbed by the inks. The colors we see are the wavelengths that are reflected. Cyan ink absorbs red light, magenta absorbs green light, and yellow absorbs blue light. When these inks are combined, they absorb more light, resulting in darker colors.

The 'K' in CMYK stands for 'Key' because in four-color printing, the black ink is often used as the key plate for aligning the other colors and providing detail. Pure black is achieved by using 100% black ink. Mixing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks theoretically produces black, but in practice, it often results in a muddy dark brown due to impurities in the inks. Therefore, using black ink is more efficient and produces a truer black.

CMYK is the standard color model for printing on paper, such as in magazines, brochures, and newspapers. It is contrasted with RGB (Red, Green, Blue), which is an additive color model used for displays like computer monitors and televisions. RGB works by emitting light, where combining red, green, and blue light in equal proportions produces white. Colors in CMYK are typically represented by percentages, indicating the amount of each ink used, for example, C=0%, M=100%, Y=100%, K=0% would represent a deep red.