(slightly OT) 4 color?

[kingpaul]

I've seen the phrase "4 color" several times on these boards. I must admit, I don't know what the phrase means...except in T-Shirt printing. Could someone enlighten me? Thanks.

 

[Desdichado]

4-color is the original comic book printing method, and 4-color as a phrase often refers to a comic-book-ish over-the-top action style.

 

[Draxus the Tainted]

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black are the colors used in 4 color process of printing. Dunno if that was what you wanted to know.

 

[Morrus]

Of course, here's the most important use of the phrase:

 

[kingpaul]

Of course, here's the most important use of the phrase:

And you're not biased in making that statement, are you Morrus?

 

[Morrus]

And you're not biased in making that statement, are you Morrus?

Who, me? *whistles innocently*

 

[Samothdm]

In printing, Four-Color does refer to the mixture of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. Mixing these four colors together can produce any color that you need. Basically, the same picture is printed on four separate "color separations" (it's like a clear sheet with one of the four colors on it). When all four are they laid on top of each other, they create a full-color image.

A better defition (including graphics) is here.

 

[Scarogoth]

More innocent whistling...

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black... mmm... thinks... Where've I seen that recently? I had it in mind a second ago, and now it's just gone "whoooshhh"... hmmm... could that be another clue?

More *innocent* whistling...

 

[kingpaul]

Thanks

Thanks all for the help. I thought it referenced those four colours (which is why "4-color" T-Shirt printing is so expensive), but didn't know it was also in reference to comic-book printing.

 

[GuardianLurker]

4-color is the original comic book printing method, and 4-color as a phrase often refers to a comic-book-ish over-the-top action style.

Actually, if we're being specific, in the circles I've encountered, "4-color" comics refer to Golden Age comics (like the original Justice Society comics of the late 30's/early 40's), and the early Silver Age comics (the Justice League of the 60's). The point is that not all comics are "4-color"; it refers to a specific style/genre/age of comics, just as "baroque" refers to a specific style/genre/age of classical music.

A comic critic (or Taloncomics?) could probably give you a more complete breakdown.