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2. Basics of Image Processing / 2.2 Picture Types

### 2.2.5 The CMYK Image

The CMYK image is typically used in the printing industry. Its name shows that it is based on the CMYK color space.

Each of the four color components uses 1 or 2 Bytes per pixel.

A CMYK (8 Bit) image with a size of 1024 x 1024 pixels needs 4 * 1024 * 1024 Byte - 4 MBytes - memory.

The conversion from RGB images to CMYK is lossy. Therefore, conversions should only take place, if the whole picture is finished.

The typical home user shouldn’t use CMYK at all, because standard ink jet printers are able to print RGB images.