What does the acronym CMY stand for in color theory?

The acronym CMY stands for Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow, which are the primary colors used in subtractive color mixing. This color model is essential in various applications, particularly in color printing. In subtractive color mixing, these three colors can be combined in varying proportions to produce a broad spectrum of colors. For example, combining cyan and magenta results in blue, while mixing yellow and magenta creates red. Understanding the CMY color model is crucial for graphic designers as it directly relates to how colors are created and rendered in print material, giving them the ability to make precise adjustments to images and designs. This foundational knowledge plays a significant role in the overall design process, especially when preparing artworks for print.