Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and black—the four colors used in most color commercial printing. When printed using transparent inks, the three subtractive primaries—cyan, magenta and yellow—act as individual filters to transmit and absorb light reflected from the surface of the paper to create the colors seen by the eye. Intermediate colors—colors other than the subtractive primaries—are formed by laying one film of ink over another. Black is added to enhance the depth and extend the tonal range of all hues.

Photographs and those images having a range of shades not made up of dots.

The relative difference between the light and dark areas of a photograph or other image. The greater the difference between the light and dark areas, the higher the contrast.

The correct positioning of an image with regard to the edges of paper and other printing on the same sheet, especially when printing one color on another.

Abbreviation for red, green and blue—the three additive primaries, used to create colors on computers screens, televisions and other light-emitting electronic devices. By mixing any two of the primaries—in overlapping colored beams of light projected on a video screen, for example—the intermediate colors are reproduced. White is formed by combining all three additive primaries, while black is their total absence.

A brilliant red ink or dye, first introduced in 1888.

A gridwork of fine lines or dots, opaque and distinct from one another, used to produce halftone images. Halftone screens come in a variety of rulings as measured by the number of crosshair lines per square inch.

The angles at which halftone, duo tones, tri tones, and color separation printing films are placed to reproduce colors.

Premixed, semi or fully opaque printing inks used for exact color match, as in a corporate logo (Examples: Coca Cola red or John Deere green). Used in place of trying to match exact colors by the combination of 3 or 4 process colors. Can also add visual impact and reduce the process ink costs.

Liquid lacquer applied as a coating for protection and appearance.