In the CMYK color model, yellow is represented as 0% cyan, 0% magenta, 100% yellow, and 0% black. Essentially, yellow for CMYK is 0, 0, 100, 0.
Understanding CMYK
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). It's a subtractive color model, meaning that colors are created by subtracting wavelengths of light from white. This is in contrast to additive color models like RGB (Red, Green, Blue), which create colors by adding light. CMYK is primarily used for printing, as printers use these four ink colors to produce a wide range of hues.
Yellow in CMYK
- Cyan (C): 0% - Indicates that no cyan ink is used to create the yellow color.
- Magenta (M): 0% - Indicates that no magenta ink is used to create the yellow color.
- Yellow (Y): 100% - Represents the maximum amount of yellow ink used. This is what defines the color as yellow.
- Key (K): 0% - Indicates that no black ink is used. Black ink in CMYK primarily adds depth and detail, not color to yellow.
Other Color Models and Yellow
It's useful to compare this to other color models for reference:
| Color Model | Value |
|---|---|
| Hex | #FFFF00 |
| RGB | 255, 255, 0 |
| HSL | 60°, 100%, 50% |
| HSV | 60°, 100%, 100% |
| CMYK | 0%, 0%, 100%, 0% |
Why CMYK Matters for Printing
When preparing images or designs for print, it's crucial to use the CMYK color model. This ensures that the colors you see on your screen (which are often displayed in RGB) are accurately reproduced on paper. Converting colors from RGB to CMYK can sometimes lead to subtle color shifts, as the two models have different gamuts (the range of colors they can represent). Understanding CMYK values is essential for achieving the desired results in print media.
In summary, pure yellow in CMYK is achieved by using 100% yellow ink and no cyan, magenta, or black ink.
