CMY refers to the CMY color model, a subtractive color model used primarily in printing.
The CMY color model is a subtractive color model in which cyan, magenta and yellow pigments or dyes are added together in various ways to reproduce a broad array of colors. The name of the model comes from the initials of the three subtractive primary colors: cyan, magenta, and yellow.
Understanding the CMY Color Model
Unlike additive color models like RGB (Red, Green, Blue) used in screens, the CMY model works by subtracting light. Pigments or dyes absorb specific wavelengths of light and reflect others. When you mix CMY colors, you are adding pigments that absorb more light, making the resulting color darker.
- Cyan (C): Absorbs red light.
- Magenta (M): Absorbs green light.
- Yellow (Y): Absorbs blue light.
When all three colors are combined at full saturation, they ideally absorb all light, producing black. However, in practice, ink impurities often result in a muddy brown, which is why printing often uses a fourth, separate black ink (K), leading to the more common CMYK model.
How CMY Works in Practice
In printing, different shades and colors are created by applying varying percentages of cyan, magenta, and yellow ink to a surface (like paper).
Here's a simple illustration of mixing the primary CMY colors:
CMY Primary | Absorbs | Reflects |
---|---|---|
Cyan | Red | Green, Blue |
Magenta | Green | Red, Blue |
Yellow | Blue | Red, Green |
Mixing these primaries creates secondary colors:
- Cyan + Magenta = Blue (absorbs Red and Green, reflects Blue)
- Magenta + Yellow = Red (absorbs Green and Blue, reflects Red)
- Yellow + Cyan = Green (absorbs Blue and Red, reflects Green)
By adjusting the proportions of C, M, and Y inks, a wide spectrum of colors can be reproduced on printed materials, from vibrant photographs to simple text documents.
Key Takeaways
- CMY is a subtractive color model.
- It uses three primary colors: Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow.
- Colors are created by adding pigments/dyes which absorb light.
- It is the basis for color printing (often expanded to CMYK).