What is the CMYK color system?
The CMYK color system uses the four printing colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (Key). This system is applied to everything printed with ink, such as books, magazines, posters, and packaging.
CMYK works with subtractive color mixing: by combining different ink colors, new colors are created. When cyan, magenta, and yellow are mixed, a dark color that is almost black is produced. The more ink you add, the darker the color becomes.
Which color system is used for printing?
The CMYK color system is used for printing because printers work with ink or toner. In addition to CMYK, there is also the RGB color system, which is based on light and used for screens. If you submit a file in RGB, the colors may appear less vibrant on paper than they do on a screen. A file designed in CMYK provides the most accurate color representation when printed.
