To provide a color estimation method by which color estimation can be highly accurately executed by using values of the color characteristics after measuring the values of the color characteristics of one/multiple-color by C, M, Y, and K inks when color obtained by overprint is estimated with calculation by using values of the color characteristics of each single color, and further, color is estimated by repeatedly executing calculation using values of the color characteristics of the other single colors.

The spectral density of color obtained by overprinting a plurality of color materials on a recording medium is estimated by using each spectral density of colors obtained by printing each of a plurality of the color materials on the recording medium on the basis of the overprint order after receiving input of the overprint order for a plurality of the color materials, the spectral density of color obtained by overprinting two or three color materials in the color materials of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black stored in a color characteristic table, and the spectral density of a ground color of the recording medium.