CMY color model

When CMY colors are mixed at full strength, the result pair mixtures are red, green, and blue. Mixing all three gives very dark grey.

CMY color model is a color model, used in color printing. CMY refers to the three inks used in printing: cyan, magenta, and yellow.

The CMY model is subtractive. It means that it subtracts or masks colors from white background of the paper. The ink reduces the reflected light. White light minus red leaves cyan, white light minus green leaves magenta, and white light minus blue leaves yellow.

White is the natural color of the paper, while (nearly) black is made by a full combination of colored inks.

Early representation of the three-color process (1902).

Unlike the CMYK color model, it does not use additional black ink, which is more effective and economical for reproducing dark hues.

CMY color is typically used in older, portable, or inexpensive printers. Most recent color desktop or floor-standing printers use the CMYK color model.

CMY Color Model Media

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  This diagram shows three examples of color halftoning with CMYK separations, as well as the combined halftone pattern and how the human eye would observe the combined halftone pattern from a sufficient distance.

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  The John Moulton Barn on Mormon Row at the base of the Grand Tetons, Wyoming.

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  Inspection CMYK colors of offset printing on a paper

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  Comparison of some RGB and CMYK color gamuts on a CIE 1931 xy chromaticity diagram

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  Spectrum of the visible wavelengths on printed paper (SCA Graphosilk). Shown is the transition from red to yellow. White, red, blue, and green are shown for reference. Readings from a white orchid flower, a rose (red and yellow petals), and a red cyclamen flower are shown for comparison. The units of spectral power are simply raw sensor values (with a linear response at specific wavelengths).

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  Approximation of the image using CMY colors.

Related pages

• CMYK color model
• RGB color model
• Color model

Other websites

• XCmyk Archived 2011-12-30 at the Wayback Machine – CMYK to RGB Calculator with source code
• Color Space Fundamentals – animated illustration of RGB vs. CMYK