182
yellow dots rule (thelemmy.club)
submitted 1 week ago by qaz@lemmy.world to c/196@lemmy.world
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[-] MeatPilot@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Even me saying KKKK, is not fully right but I thought would make sense for most people.

People think the K in CMYK stands for black because B was already taken by blue in RGB, but that’s not actually why.

The K stands for “Key,” from traditional printing terminology. The key plate was the plate carrying most of the image detail and contrast. Usually printed in black.

In professional printing it gets even deeper because CMYK is really just “4-color process” printing. Presses can also use spot colors like PMS inks instead of, or alongside, standard process colors depending on the job.

So desktop printers labeling black ink as “K” is really just carrying over print industry terminology.

If I didn't fully confuse you, congratulations for making it this far.

[-] Etterra@discuss.online 2 points 6 days ago

So it's not silly, just obsolete lol

[-] NihilsineNefas@slrpnk.net 1 points 5 days ago

Not even obsolete, its still going strong across the globe, its why you can still see the cymk test squares on some drink cartons

[-] NihilsineNefas@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 week ago

Its all good, I only knew about cymk in general because of a bit of work experience as a print shop gopher

this post was submitted on 14 May 2026
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