Definition of the word color separation

The term "color separation" refers to the process of breaking down a full-color image into its individual primary colors (red, green, and blue) for printing. This technique is essential in the printing industry as the human eye perceives color differently from how it's produced by printing inks. The technology for color separation traces back to the early 20th century when the printing industry started utilizing subtractive color principles, which stated that by sticking to certain ink colors, it was possible to produce a broad range of colors by mixing them on paper. Initially, the color separation process was complex and labor-intensive, involving manual cutting of stencils and hand-mixed inks. However, the advent of digital technology made it much easier and more efficient. Nowadays, digital color separation software is used to automate and streamline the process, helping in producing accurate and vibrant prints across a range of substrates.