neliväriset

Neliväriset refers to imagery or printing that uses four colors to reproduce color. In most contexts the four colorants are cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, collectively known as the CMYK color model. The term is commonly used in graphic design, publishing, and packaging to describe full-color work prepared for commercial printing.

In neliväriset (four-color) printing, the image is separated into four color channels, with halftone screening converting tones into tiny colored dots. When overlaid, these dots approximate a wide range of colors and tones. This process is standard in offset printing and many digital print workflows.

In digital workflows, files in RGB are converted to CMYK; color management, ICC profiles, and soft proofing help ensure color accuracy. The substrate (paper) and ink properties affect the final result; some colors may be harder to reproduce, especially bright non-standard hues; proofs are used to adjust.

In Finnish, neliväriset describes standard full-color printing and images used in magazines, newspapers, packaging, and advertising. It is contrasted with monovärinen (single-color) or kolmivärinen (three-color) printing, which uses fewer inks or spot colors. The term aligns with the international concept of the four-color process.