this post was submitted on 14 May 2026
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You, uh, you wanna rephrase that lady one? Also black starts with a "B."
But so does Blue, so printing ink is labelled as CYMK Cyan Yellow Magenta blacK (yes, I know, it's dumb, but so is like 99% of the arbitrary shit that props up language.)
Even me saying KKKK, is not fully right but I thought would make sense for most people.
People think the K in CMYK stands for black because B was already taken by blue in RGB, but that’s not actually why.
The K stands for “Key,” from traditional printing terminology. The key plate was the plate carrying most of the image detail and contrast. Usually printed in black.
In professional printing it gets even deeper because CMYK is really just “4-color process” printing. Presses can also use spot colors like PMS inks instead of, or alongside, standard process colors depending on the job.
There are 1-color process or 1CP jobs, 2CP, 4CP, 5CP, 6CP... all the way up to 8CP to 12CP in box printing, flexoprint.
So desktop printers labeling black ink as “K” is really just carrying over print industry terminology.
If I didn't fully confuse you, congratulations for making it this far.