The CMYK Color Model Before every day consumers were using home computers, scanners and digital photography, the CMYK color model was typically a term reserved for the printing industry. The CMYK color model (pronounced “smike”) is the combination of four colors to print any image. In most commercially printed materials, color photos, images and prints are composed of just four color combinations using the CMYK color model: cyan, magenta, yellow and key (known as black). Most people are familiar with the primary colors of red, green and blue which is known as the RGB color model within the print industry. However, the CMYK color model has proven to be more dynamic and rich in tones than the traditional RGB color model. Cyan is a bluish green color that is often used first when combining colors because it is considered the strongest primary color amongst magenta and yellow. The magenta used in the color model is a vibrant pink created with purple, blue and red hues. The yellow shade considered to be part of the CMYK color model is in the middle of its spectrum with no reddish overtones. The final color, key is actually just black but is considered to be a reference point for the other color combinations or ‘key’. Using a ‘K’ also helps to eliminate confusion between using ‘B’ for blue. Most typical computer photo editing software programs actually allow users to convert their images into a variety of format, including grayscale which is generally known as black and white or between an RGB color model and a CMYK model. The ability to view an image or photo side by side using the different color models most accurately shows the differences in depth and tone. The versatility of the CMYK model continues to help it grow as an industry standard. |  The CMYK color model |
