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From the soft hues of the morning sky to the bold tones of artistic designs, we see countless colours in our everyday lives. But at least once have you wondered, how many colours exist in the world? If so, you’ve got a curious mind!
There is no exact number of colours. However, experts estimate that there are over 10 million colours and there would be even more waiting to be discovered.
Since there are countless colours, a structured system called ‘Colour Theory’ was created to organise and categorise them. Among these systems, CMYK is one of the sought-after colour models, especially in commercial printing.
If you belong to the printing industry or want to reap the benefits of digital printing, this blog will be worth your time. In the end, you will know the ins and outs of the CMYK color model and attain the expected result every time you print. Jump right in!
Can you believe that you’re already familiar with CMYK? Yes, if you read newspapers or magazines, you’ve probably noticed the four-coloured dots along the edges. These dots simply represent the CMYK printing technique.
CMYK is a standard colour model preferred for professional printing. To convert digital designs into physical prints, printers implement a popular method called four-colour printing.
The digital screens you see and printers you use different colour languages. For example, the computer screen uses RGB [Red, Green, Blue] to display colours whereas printers rely on CMYK [Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black] to print colours on bollards like slip-over design covers.
RGB – A light-based colour model that works by adding lights. The more you add light, the brighter the colours you get!
CMYK – An ink-based colour model works by layering inks. The more ink added, the darker the colour becomes!
To make it easier for you, a quick comparison is here.
Colour Model | Applications | Working Method | Final Colour |
RGB | Screens [TVs, Monitors, Mobile] | Adds light to create colours | White |
CMYK | Printers [Magazines, Brochures, Posters, Covers] | Adds layers of ink to form colours | Black |
In colour theory, CMYK meaning is an acronym for the four ink colours used in the printing process. The breakdown of each colour is as follows.
What’s their role? Each colour has a specific purpose in creating the full spectrum of colours in printing. So, how does CMYK is used to create colours?
CMYK is categorised into the subtractive colour model as each layer of ink filters or subtracts certain wavelengths of light. For instance, consider you are applying Cyan ink to white paper. It absorbs red light while reflecting blue and green.
In the same way, Magenta takes green light and yellow absorbs blue light. With a clear understanding of these, printers mix colour inks in various percentages to bring attractive colours to marketing materials you print.
Now you might wonder why ‘K’ for black instead of ‘B’. That’s a good question. ‘B’ is already in use to signify the Blue colour in the RGB colour model. Therefore, ‘K’ which means the key role of black colour in printing is considered to distinguish.
Though new technologies and various colour systems exist, CMYK remains the go-to option for professional printing for several reasons. Some of the significant aspects are listed below.
These common reasons and some more behind them make CMYK screen printing a system that continues to meet modern printing requirements too.
As with anything, CMYK also has its pros and cons. You already gathered so many positives about CMYK. It’s time to learn the challenges that may come your way to avoid mishappenings.
If you are planning to print covers for square bollards, it is better to discuss your requirements and decide the best options available. So, your expectations won’t hurt you later!
And there you have it! These are the ins and outs of CMYK colour printing. Now you know what does CMYK mean, its importance and its working method. Henceforth, you can make informed decisions while you plan to print something impactful.
If it feels tiring for you, hire a professional printing company in the UK that can make custom designs and cater to your specific printing needs effectively.
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