neliväriprosessiin

Neliväriprosessi, known in English as CMYK or subtractive color mixing, is a printing technique used to produce a wide range of colors by overlaying translucent inks. The four primary colors used are Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). Cyan ink absorbs red light, Magenta absorbs green light, and Yellow absorbs blue light. When these inks are combined in varying proportions, they absorb different amounts of light, allowing us to perceive a spectrum of colors. Black ink is included to achieve deeper blacks and richer tones, as combining the three primary colors often results in a muddy brown rather than a true black.

The process begins with a full-color image, which is then separated into four individual color plates, one for each of the CMYK inks. During printing, tiny dots of each ink are applied to the paper in specific patterns and densities. The human eye blends these dots, creating the illusion of continuous tone and a full spectrum of color. The relative size and spacing of these dots, known as halftone screening, determine the final color. This method is the standard for most commercial printing, including magazines, brochures, and packaging, because it allows for the faithful reproduction of a vast array of hues and shades. Understanding the principles of CMYK is crucial for graphic designers and printers to achieve accurate color representation in printed materials.