What is CMYK?

Ans: CMYK is an acronym for Cyan (process Blue), Magenta (process Red), Yellow and Black, the primary colors of ink used in professional printing process to which Black is added for enhancement or for true Black. CMYK is not to be confused with the primary colors of light (for screen, monitors and television sets) which are Red, Green and Blue (RGB).

CMYK works through light absorption. The colours that are seen are from the part of light that is not absorbed. In CMYK, magenta plus yellow produces red, magenta plus cyan makes blueand cyan plus yellow generates green. The mixture of CMYK colours is subtractive, which means cyan, magenta, and yellow mixed or printed together will result in black. However, subtracting one or more of these colors will give you any other color. When combined in various percentages, these four inks will create an entire spectrum of colors, including those used in color photographs, brochures and posters.