What is color printing?
Is there more than one type of color printing?
- Yes, color printing has many looks. 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.
- 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 you can try: 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.
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