What is CMYK? What it means, what it’s for and when to use it.

Summary/Overview

If you’ve ever printed something and wondered how the colour was transferred on to the page, it’s thanks to CMYK.

CMYK is made up of cyan, magenta, yellow and ‘key’ – together they create all the colours you can print. With Adobe Express, you can easily create and print your designs using our printing services. This guide will explain what CMYK is and how it impacts your printing.

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What does CMYK stand for?

CMYK is an acronym for the four colours used in a printer. When cyan, magenta and yellow are combined, they can make every colour. Each letter represents a different colour:

• Cyan. A greenish-blue colour.
• Magenta. While this looks pink, it’s more of a purple-reddish shade.
• Yellow. A medium yellow.
• Key. This is black ink. This is the primary colour used to determine the final outcome.

What is CMYK used for?

One of the main uses of CMYK colours is in printing. This is the favourite choice when printing colour as it can help you achieve a true colour match.

If, however, you have printed something and thought the colour looked slightly off, this will likely be because your screen was set to RGB (red, green, blue) and not CMYK. Be sure to check your screen settings before you jump to changing your CMYK ink cartridges.

The RGB spectrum is broader than CMYK, so you will have far more colours available on screen that you can’t achieve when printing. You can learn more about RGB with our guide.

Free template ideas to print with CMYK.

Why do we use CMYK in printing?

One of the main benefits of CMYK is that it offers a true colour match and is easier to stabilise. If you’re organising a batch of prints, this means the colour will be consistent across each print. With RGB, there are tiny variations possible, which means it can be difficult to be consistent.

The reliability of CMYK colours is what makes it the perfect choice for printing. Reproduction of prints is easier thanks to the reliable consistency it’s able to maintain.

What is a CMYK halftone?

A halftone is simply a group of dots. When viewed from a distance, these dots form an image. Varying dot sizes can create different tones in an image, and many tiny dots in the CMYK colours can create every shade that can be printed. The sizes of the dots and how they’re spaced impact how the image prints.

The term halftone dates to the 20^th century. It was a printing technique that was discovered when CMYK colours were dotted close together and they would merge and blend to create a different colour. With just these four colours and the careful placement and sizing of dots, an array of colours could be printed.

When to use CMYK in your Adobe Express designs.

With printing services from Adobe Express, you can have striking designs in the palm of your hand in no time. Here, we’ve rounded up just some of the different things you can print in CMYK.

Flyers.

Showcase your next event or advertise your new product launch with a bright, eye-catching flyer. Choose from one of our templates and customise it to capture your brand. Once finished, hit print and display to spread the word about your business.

Business cards.

Business cards are a great way to form connections and boost the visibility of your business. Share your card at networking events or give it to potential customers so they can contact you when needed. Design a business card you’ll be proud to share with the world using Adobe Express.

Invitations.

Invitations are the first things your guests will receive for your event and they set the tone. Because of this, you will want an invitation that showcases the excitement of what’s to come. Adobe Express has a range of invitation templates you can customise and print.

Greeting cards.

Add a personal touch to a greeting card by making your own. Whether it’s a thank you card or you want to say happy birthday, you can design and print the perfect greeting card to send to friends and family.

T-shirts.

If you’re promoting your brand or want to create a one-off T-shirt design to wear, you can even use Adobe Express to create apparel. Design and print with ease using our online tools. Once you receive your item, wear it with pride.

Editable and printable CMYK designs.

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Useful things to know.

What is the ‘K’ in CMYK?

The ‘K’ in CMYK means key. This is the cartridge’s black ink and provides shadows and depth. When combined, the other colours, cyan, magenta and yellow, can make a variety of shades on the colour spectrum.

What is a CMYK file?

CMYK uses a few file formats. These include TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), EPS (Encapsulated PostScript), and PDF (Portable Document Format). A PDF is usually the safest option, if you’re unsure which file type to use.

How do I convert to CMYK for printing?

The easiest way to convert CMYK for printing is to use Photoshop. Once Photoshop is open, you can convert an image to CMYK by clicking Image > Mode > CMYK Colour. Then hit save.

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