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CMYK - technical definition
(Cyan Magenta Yellow blacK) The color space used for commercial printing and most color computer printers. In theory, cyan, magenta and yellow (CMY) can print all colors, but inks are not pure and black comes out muddy. The black ink (K) is required for quality printing. See color space, RGB and ink coverage.
Separated Colors
Each of the four colors are printed independently, but blend together to form all colors. (Image courtesy of Intergraph Computer Systems.)
A CMYK Printer
Typical of a color laser printer, this Tally 8106 printer uses four separate cartridges: one each for cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK). Unlike the commercial print process, which prints the paper four times, in a color laser printer, each of the four inks is applied to the drum before the page is printed.
CMYK Ribbon
This shows a four-color dye sublimation or thermal wax transfer ribbon where four panels of dye or wax-based ink exist for each page, and each panel is as large as the page. After each page is printed, the ribbon is advanced to the next four-color ribbon set.
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