What does CMYK stand for in color printing?

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, which are the four colors used in color printing. This color model is based on the subtractive color mixing process, where colors are created by subtracting varying percentages of light absorbed by the ink.

Cyan, a bluish-green color, is the primary color in this model, and it absorbs red light. Magenta absorbs green light and, together with cyan, can produce a wide range of colors. Yellow absorbs blue light, and when combined with cyan and magenta, the three colors can create a rich spectrum of shades in printed materials.

Black, referred to as "Key," is added to enhance the depth and detail of printed images, as combining the three primary colors alone does not produce a true black and can lead to muddiness in color. Thus, understanding the function of these four colors is crucial for effective color printing in design.