Summary | Page 2

When combined in equal amounts, the additive primary colors produce the appearance of white. Subtractive color involves colorants and reflected light. It uses cyan, magenta, and yellow pigments or dyes to subtract portions of white light illuminating an object to produce other colors. When combined in equal amounts, pure subtractive primary colors produce the appearance of black.

It is the subtractive process that allows everyday objects around us to show color. For example, a red apple really has no color. Colorants in the appleÆs skin absorb green and blue wavelengths of white light and reflect red wavelengths back to the viewer, which evokes the sensation of red. All color printing processes use the subtractive process to reproduce color. Printing presses use transparent color inks that act as filters and subtract portions of the white light striking the image on paper to produce other colors.