What are CMYK colours?

23 March 2019 - Reading time 5 min.

Marketing & Design Tutorials & Explanation

CMYK colours (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key). The CMYK colour model is widely used in the printing world. To better understand this colour composition, it is best to start with RGB colours. The RGB colour model made up of (red , green and blue) is used in your television or computer monitor, and there you should view your projects while will still be on the screen .

These colours can only be viewed with natural or produced light, as in the computer screen, and not a sheet of paper.

When two RGB colours are mixed together in the same ratio, the colours of CMYK model, known as subtractive colour mixing, are created. Green and blue for cyan (C) , red and blue creates magenta (M) , and red and green creates yellow (Y). Black is added to the model because it cannot be created with the 3 subtractive colour mixing. The K or "key " stands for black in the CMYK in the printing process

rgb-and-cmyk

The four colours in the printing process use four printing plates; one for cyan, one for magenta, one for yellow and one for black. When the colours are combined on paper (actually printed as very small dots), the human eye sees the final image CMYK in Graphic Design.

Graphic designers face the translation challenge of seeing their work on screen in RGB, although their final printed piece will be in CMYK. Digital files must be converted to CMYK before being sent to printers unless otherwise stated .

Because of this problem, it is important to use "samples (samples) " when designing to arrive at the correct colour. In relation to a designer and client, agreement on the correct colour can be reached by means of a printed sample prior to a production run.

A selected sample can then be chosen in Photoshop, Coreldraw or Indesign to ensure the desired results. Although the colours on the screen may not fully match the sample, you will know what the final colour will look like. You can also print out the file (most printer cartridges work on the basis of CMYK), then you have a physical sample which is more reliable than a computer screen.

If you have any questions about colours in relation to CMYK colours please email us at info@rikegroup.com.