Color printing: which type is right for me?

Color Printing Has Many Facets

With color printing you are using a general term that can mean any form of color on a sheet of paper. So, let's look at the various forms of it.

Process Color Printing

Process color printing is what some generally call color printing or full color printing. It is color printing based on the usage of screens of four primary colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. This is also known as CMYK. The advantage of process printing is that it reproduces photographic images as well as being cost effective compared to using Pantones for 3 or more registered inks.

Pantone Matching System Printing:

The Pantone Matching System, also referred to as PMS or "spot", is a pre mixed ink in a can to exacting standards. The mix is comprised of the standard "Pantone" colors, plus black and opaque white. This way should you require cheap color printing with a spot or Pantone of "185 red" you will know that each time you order it, 185 red will look the same, within certain limitations due to paper stock and press.

Printing With Varnish Tints

For subtle effects it is possible to "tint" a varnish coating with a Pantone ink. Doing so will provide you with a variation of a color you are using or to introduce a new subtle one. The Varnish will not look much glossier than the rest of the ink on the page and is almost synonymous with using a screen tint of an ink.

Six Color Process Printing

This is the same as four, but a lighter coloration of the Cyan and the Magenta plates are also utilized. When using eight colors in  process, the system adds the Yellow and Black lighter versions. Either essentially print more dots to reduce a "graininess", thus providing a smoother, more detailed look and a brighter image. This is not for the weak of pocketbook as there are very few presses offering this and those that do, at a steep price.

Six Color Hexa-Chrome

This system was developed by Pantone and uses orange and green in the process, along with the four process inks (CMYK. This also offers a similar quality to the process version, but it is more difficult to use than the six or eight in process. This and the 6/8 process presses are also referred to as Hi-Fi.

Other Choices For You

Foil stamping, in combination or not with Pantones or process inks, can also sometimes add an interesting and novel effect to your printed piece. The foiling can stand alone, without touching the ink on the printed piece and this is called "non-registered foiling. Should the foil stamping, touch or "register" to the ink, such as the foil sitting on top of a printed area of the piece, then this is referred to as "registered" foil stamping.