färgsubbmodell

A färgsubbmodell, or color subtraction model, describes how colors are created by removing or absorbing certain wavelengths of light. This is in contrast to color addition models, where colors are created by mixing light. The most common example of a färgsubbmodell is the CMYK model, used in printing.

In the CMYK model, the primary colors are Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. When these inks are applied to a surface, they absorb specific wavelengths of light. For example, cyan ink absorbs red light, magenta absorbs green light, and yellow absorbs blue light. The combination of these inks on a white surface results in the perception of color. White light contains all wavelengths of the visible spectrum. When a surface absorbs certain wavelengths, the remaining wavelengths are reflected back to our eyes, which we perceive as color.

Black is achieved by combining all three CMY inks, though in practice, a separate black ink (K for Key) is often used to achieve deeper blacks and save on ink costs. The "subtraction" aspect comes from the fact that each ink subtracts certain wavelengths from the white light that hits it. The more inks applied, the more light is absorbed, and the darker the resulting color. This model is fundamental to understanding how pigments and dyes work in everyday applications like printing and painting.