The color model used for printing, which mixes four inks — Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black). It's subtractive, meaning inks absorb light, so more ink makes colors darker.
Synonyms
- process color
- four-color
- subtractive color
Related terms
- rgb
- spot color
- color gamut
- subtractive color
In plain words
- the four printing inks
- how printers make color
Usage example
Before sending the flyer to the printer, they converted the artwork to CMYK.
Don't confuse with…
- rgbCMYK is for printed ink; RGB is for glowing screens, and bright screen colors often look duller once printed in CMYK.
Categories
- Color