Glossary
CMYK
CMYK is a subtractive colour model used in process printing. It builds colour from cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks, unlike RGB, which is used for screens.
Why it matters
A file left in RGB can shift colour when the printer converts it. The studio should convert to CMYK or the printer's specified profile before the proof.
Example
The brochure is converted to CMYK with the printer's ICC profile, and the client proof shows the expected print colour.
Sources
Reviewed November 3, 2026. Public pages can change; check the source before relying on a date or a price.