What does CMYK stand for?

CMYK is the four-colour process used to reproduce colour in commercial printing.

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black). These are the four process colours used in commercial offset and digital printing.

Different percentages of each ink are applied to the paper as tiny dots. When viewed from a normal distance, these dots combine visually to reproduce a wide range of colours, images and photographs. Black is used alongside cyan, magenta and yellow to provide stronger blacks, greater contrast and fine detail.

CMYK is known as a subtractive colour model, because the inks absorb light rather than producing it. In contrast, RGB is an additive colour model, used by computer screens, phones and other digital displays, where red, green and blue light are combined to create colour.

For a more detailed explanation of how CMYK works, including colour reproduction, ink percentages and the difference between CMYK and RGB, see our guide [What is CMYK?]