Our printers use different colors - usually cyan, magenta, yellow and black - because by mixing these basic colors in varying proportions, it is possible to reproduce a wide range of colors and obtain accurate and rich color images.
When you print a color image, your printer doesn’t just lay down each color separately next to the others. It layers them in fine sheets to visually create a multitude of other shades. It’s like mixing paint on a sheet, except it happens directly on the paper with tiny dots of ink deposited precisely next to or on top of each other. This technique is called subtractive synthesis, because in reality, each ink absorbs (or subtracts) a part of the light that illuminates the sheet. Thus, your eye perceives the final result, a visual combination of these finely layered tiny droplets.
Additive synthesis is like playing with colored flashlights: the more colors of light you add, the lighter the light becomes. If you mix red, green, and blue lights (RGB), you end up with white—that's what our screens do.
Conversely, subtractive synthesis works like paint or ink on paper: each color applied absorbs certain wavelengths and reflects others to your eyes. The more you mix cyan, magenta, and yellow inks (CMY), the more the colors absorb light, resulting in black (or nearly). This is precisely the method used by our printers.
Printers primarily work with 4 colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (key). This is what the famous acronym CMYK stands for. But why these colors specifically? Because in printing, these colors act as filters that absorb certain parts of light and reflect others. By combining these 4 colors, the printer can reproduce almost all shades of the visible color palette. Cyan, magenta, and yellow combined typically create a theoretical black, but since it's not very deep (rather grayish), black (key) is added to boost the contrast and depth of printed images.
Printers create images by grouping together lots of tiny colored dots that are very close together: seen from a distance, your eyes merge these dots into a single solid color. By varying the size, density, and overlap of these ink dots, they precisely measure the amounts of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) inks. Therefore, each printed color simply results from a careful mixture of these four base inks. For example, by overlapping small dots of cyan and yellow, the printer creates green. If it wants to print a bright red, it combines magenta and yellow in specific proportions. By adding black ink, the printer precisely adjusts the depth and contrasts. All this mechanics, managed by algorithms and drivers, relies on the instructions sent by your computer to achieve the most realistic final image possible.
A good color optimization ensures fidelity between what you see on the screen and what comes out of the printer. When colors are left to chance, it can end up with dull, lifeless, or downright strange tones. Optimizing colors also means ensuring that the amount of ink is distributed effectively to achieve sharp, vibrant images while avoiding ink waste. This is essential when aiming for professional-quality prints, without unpleasant surprises and without unnecessarily emptying your wallet on ink cartridges.
Did you know that the black used in printers is called 'Key Black' because of its role as a reference for aligning the printing plates? Thus, the 'K' in CMYK comes from the English word 'Key' and not from 'blacK' as one might expect.
Did you know that the chosen paper can significantly affect the appearance of printed colors? Glossy paper reflects light better, resulting in more vibrant prints of color photographs.
Did you know that our screens use additive synthesis (red, green, and blue), while our printers use subtractive synthesis (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black)? This is why there is often a difference between what you see on the screen and the printed output.
Did you know that some printers use additional colors beyond the four basic colors (CMYK)? These, such as light and dark shades or special colors, allow for greater accuracy and better rendering of subtle tones.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) refers to an additive synthesis used on screens, where the mixing of primary colors produces white. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) is a subtractive synthesis used in printing; its colors absorb light and produce black when fully combined.
No, not exactly. Screens use RGB synthesis that emits light, while printing uses CMYK synthesis that absorbs light. The CMYK color space is more limited, which often explains a slight difference in color.
The colors used vary depending on the images you print. If an image contains more blue or green, for example, your printer will use more cyan, which will result in a faster depletion of that cartridge.
Color optimization refers to the process by which printing settings are adjusted to closely match the desired output. This includes adjusting color profiles, resolution, and ensuring that inks are combined effectively and appropriately.
By combining these four inks (CMYK), your printer can produce almost any shade of color. Black (K) is added to enhance shadows and provide a richer and more precise black than what could be achieved by mixing the other three colors alone.
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