Subtractive colour mixing

In so-called subtractive colour mixing, body colours as CMYK (in contrast to the light colours in additive colour mixing) must be illuminated with a light source in order to be visible. This also includes printed surfaces.

How it works

A colour impression is the result of part of the light rays reflecting on the object surface (reflected back), and others being absorbed. A magenta colour surface absorbs the colour green and reflects red and blue.

Subtractive color mixing creates the color impression through reflection and absorption of light.