CMYvärejä

CMYvärejä refers to the subtractive color model used in color printing. This model is based on three primary colors: Cyan (C), Magenta (M), and Yellow (Y). When these colors are combined, they absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others, creating the perception of different colors. In theory, mixing equal amounts of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow should produce black. However, in practice, a pure black is rarely achieved due to the impurities in the pigments.

Therefore, a fourth color, Black (K), is often added to the CMY model, creating the CMYK color model. The addition of black ink allows for deeper blacks, sharper text, and also saves on the amount of cyan, magenta, and yellow ink needed to produce dark tones. CMYK is the standard for most commercial printing, including magazines, brochures, and packaging.

The CMY color model is subtractive because it works by subtracting, or absorbing, certain wavelengths of light from white light. White light contains all the colors of the spectrum. When a colored ink is applied to a surface, it absorbs specific wavelengths of light and reflects the remaining wavelengths, which our eyes then perceive as the color of the ink. For example, cyan ink absorbs red light and reflects green and blue light. Magenta absorbs green light and reflects red and blue. Yellow absorbs blue light and reflects red and green.

Understanding the CMY (and CMYK) color model is crucial for graphic designers, printers, and anyone involved in the creation and reproduction of color images for print media. It influences color choices, color correction, and the overall quality of printed output.