Lets talk a bit about how color is created using CMYK. When creating a CMYK combination to represent that color on output, things get considerably more complicated. This is fairly straight-forward and repeatable. In the modern color-managed workflow, an RGB image has an associated profile so each RGB number combination can be converted to a defined Lab color.

In CMYK this is usually done with black ink. The Key plate, in traditional color separations, is the plate that holds the detail in the image. The K in CMYK stands for 'Key', NOT black as many might have you believe. In looking over my previous articles I noticed that I had yet to cover the topic of K so it seemed like it was time. If you work long enough in or near the print industry you start to take CMYK for granted. 1.10 Standard vs Custom separation profiles.1.3 Print job stability on press VS adjustment on press.