CMY...K
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- Morning_star
Just having a discussion about the meaning of 'K' in the CMYK colour model. I have always thought that the 'K' stood for Kohl (a ancient black dye used in eye make up). It appears there is an alternative opinion which suggests that 'K' stands for Key.
Can anyone shed any light on this.
- BaskerviIle0
it's key, the other plates were aligned with the black plate (key plate)
- ETM0
It stands for black. A 'b' is not used to not confuse it with blue or brown.
However, I have also heard it to mean 'key', and is technically correct if using black as a color reference.
- monospaced0
lol @ Kohl
- CanHasQBN0
Wanna know the formula for white?
CMYKKK
- Morning_star0
Just found this.
..."There was sometimes another plate called the "Key" plate and was used to make quick changes on the press. You would print 100,000 brochures with the same pictures, and then change the "Key Plates" to print 10,000 for German customers and another 90,000 for the american market. Printing used to be very expensive and using a "Key" plate to change text was more cost effective... to make it short. There was a "Key" plate... but it it wasn't the "K" plate... That's a common misconception with graphic designers that don't really know what's going on on the printing business --Ruben von Insel
- i_monk0
This a thread for web designers only.
- ********0
now it's all about the monochromatic K3 aka KKK
- Weyland0
I like pronouncing it as 'SMUCK'
