Subtractive Process

The subtractive process and and the additive process are the two forms to produce color. This subtractive process was first developed by French Charles Cros and Louis Ducos du Hauron in 1868. The process was based on the forming color through reflected light. This method eliminates white light through the use of a red, gren or blue filter, which leaves cyan, magenta, and yellow. The color is created with pigments, mixed in varying proportions to create all possible color combinations. However, it should be noted that because of impurities in color dyes, the combination of cyan, magenta, and yellow usually form dark brown areas. For that reason a fourth dye, pure black, is usually printed onto the page as well for a four-color process. (CMYK)