The subtractive colors are cyan, yellow, magenta and black, also known as CMYK. Subtractive color begins with white (paper) and ends with black; as color is added, the result is darker.
CMYK is a color model most often used in printing. Also known as the "four-color process", it stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (or black) and is a subtractive color model, as opposed to an additive color model like RGB.
The CMYK model works by partially or entirely masking colors on a lighter, usually white, background. The ink reduces the light that would otherwise be reflected. Such a model is called subtractive because inks “subtract” the colors red, green, and blue from white light.
Additive Color (RGB)
Also known as RGB color, additive colors are created by mixing different amounts of light colors, primarily red, green, and blue (the primary colors of the visible light spectrum).
In the CMYK model notice that the overlapping of subtractive colors (cyan, magenta and yellow) results in additive colors (red, green and blue). Also notice that the colors in the RGB model are much brighter than the colors in the CMYK model.
To reproduce color, the CMYK color model codes for absorbing light rather than emitting it (as is assumed by RGB). The "K" component absorbs all wavelengths and is therefore achromatic. The cyan, magenta, and yellow components are used for color reproduction and they may be viewed as the inverse of RGB.
Simply put, CMYK is the color mode intended for printing with ink, such as business card designs. RGB is the color mode intended for screen displays. The more color added in CMYK mode, the darker the result. The more color added to RGB, the lighter the result.
Additive manufacturing, often referred to as 3D printing, adds successive layers of material to create an object. Subtractive manufacturing removes material to create an object.
It stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (K). These colours are combined to create a range of colours as can be seen on the CMYK colour wheel. They are also known as process colours or four-colour process since four different plates are used (one plate each for cyan, magenta, yellow and key).
Certain wavelengths are subtracted or deleted from what our eye perceives when the colors mix. The subtractive color model employs the opposing subtractive primaries of cyan, magenta and yellow, which are directly opposed to the visible RGB light spectrum.
In the RGB model notice that the overlapping of additive colors (red, green and blue) results in subtractive colors (cyan, magenta and yellow). In the CMYK model notice that the overlapping of subtractive colors (cyan, magenta and yellow) results in additive colors (red, green and blue).
RGB is the opposite of CMYK because it is an “additive” process. When you mix fully saturated versions of all three colors (red, green and blue) together, you get pure white. When you remove all three colors completely, you get black.
The CMYK color model, also known as process color, was first popularized at the turn of the 20th century. After extensive experimentation in the 1800's, it was found that cyan, magenta, and yellow inks provided the largest possible set of unique colors in printed media.
Conclusion: CMYK Produces Superior Color in Printing
In conclusion, CMYK is the industry standard for printing because of the science behind the color space and the substrate. Ink on paper must use the CMYK color space to achieve the optimum results by creating an unlimited number and shades of color.
Cyan absorbs red, magenta absorbs green, and yellow absorbs blue. The “K” in CMYK represents black or “key”. Black is the key color or key plate used in printing, and using “K” instead of a “B” to represent black also avoids confusion with other colors, like blue.
CMYK is a subtractive type of colour process, meaning unlike RGB, when colours are combined light is removed or absorbed making the colours darker instead of brighter.
CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key or black. These are the four colors of ink used in the traditional method of printing hardcopies of images, called offset printing. The black is referred to as K denoting key, a shorthand for the printing term key plate.
The opposite of 3D printing is another manufacturing technology that is called subtractive manufacturing. This production method is based on cutting/ hollowing out a piece of metal/ plastic with a milling machine.
Meanwhile, 3D printing is currently mainly used to complement subtractive manufacturing methods. However, as the name suggests, unlike additive manufacturing, these techniques consist of removing material to produce a part of the desired size.
Sculptors primarily use four basic techniques. The processes are either subtractive (material is removed or carved out) or additive (material is added). Carving: Carving involves cutting or chipping away a shape from a mass of stone, wood, or other hard material.
The biggest difference between the RGB and CMYK color mixing modes are what designs they're used for. RGB color mixing is the primary color mode for digital designs (like web, TV or phone files) while the CMYK mode is used for printed designs (like T-shirts, flyers or business cards).
Essentially, any colors produced with RGB on the digital space will not create the same output on the physical print. This is based on the color gamut, which in other words means that translating RGB to CMYK usually allows the color to convert only as close to the original appearance of the display screen.
CMYK is the most commonly used offset and digital color printing process. This is referred to as a 4 color printing process, and it can produce over 16,000 different color combinations.
When to use CMYK? Use CMYK for any project design that will be physically printed, not viewed on a screen. If you need to recreate your design with ink or paint, the CMYK color mode will give you more accurate results.