Subtractive primaries are the three colours-yellow, magenta, and cyan-used in subtractive colour processes for printing and photography. Unlike additive primaries, which are based on light (red, green, and blue), subtractive primaries work by absorbing or “subtracting” specific wavelengths of light from a white light source. For example, cyan absorbs red light, magenta absorbs green, and yellow absorbs blue, allowing the remaining light to combine and produce a wide range of visible colours.
These primary colours form the foundation of most colour printing, ink production, and photographic reproduction techniques, where accurate layering and mixing of cyan, magenta, and yellow inks or dyes are critical for achieving true-to-life colour representation. By understanding subtractive primaries, photographers, designers, and printmakers can control colour balance, achieve consistent results, and produce high-quality images in both commercial and artistic applications.