CMY color model facts for kids

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 CMYK color model, it does not use additional black ink. So, it is not such economic and not so good at reproducing dark hues.

Related pages

• CMYK color model
• RGB color model
• Color model

Images for kids

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  Clockwise from the top: red, orange, yellow, chartreuse, green, spring, cyan, azure, blue, violet, magenta, and rose