Printing
There are various printing methods and colors available depending on the quantity, artwork, and material.
Methods
Rule of Thumb
- A smoother surface produces better print quality.
- A glossy finish produces more vibrant colors.
Color
Process Printing - CMYK
- Also Known As
- CMYK Printing
- 4-Color Process Printing
- Full Color Printing
It is a technique of printing using halftones of four ink colors, CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), to create a full spectrum of colors. Halftones are tiny dots of CMYK colors that overlap in various concentrations to create various colors. Digital printing, flexography, rotogravure, and offset printing have 4-color process capabilities.
CMYK does have limitations in reproducing certain vibrant and saturated colors.
Extended Gamut (EG) - GOV
- Also Known As
- Expanded Gamut
To achieve a broader, more accurate range of colors with process printing, a combination of orange, green, and violet colors (OGV) are used with CMYK printing. This is a practical and cost-effective method of achieving most spot colors without the added setup costs and longer lead times.
While OGV is a great option, it cannot produce lighter shades of pastels or flrorescent colors. In those situations, light cyan and light magenta is used to achieve smoother gradations and lights shades.
Spot Colors
A specific color, often matched to a Pantone color, is premixed and used in plate or cylinder based printing to get the exact same color everytime. By specifying a color, brands like Coca-Cola and Starbucks are able to ensure their Red (PMS 484 C) and Green (PMS 3425 C) look exactly the same every time it is printed.
Using spot colors increases cost; it requires an additional press setup for the extra color of ink to be applied. Even if you don't want to spend extra for a color match, specifying a Pantone color can help insure printers are getting close to your desired print.