How Many Colors Are Used In A Process Color

Image: formaxprintingcom_640270414.png — *4-Color Process uses Cyan, Magenta, Xanthous, and Black inks. When practical in successive layers, these four ink colors create a full color prototype.*

4-Colour Process is the almost widely used method for printing total-colour images. All commercial printers use the four-Color Process method for projects that contain multi-colored designs or photographs. This includes books, catalogs, manuals, magazines, brochures, postcards and whatever other printed items that contain full color images. Because of its widespread apply in both commencement and digital printing, 4-Color Process is much more affordable today than in years past.

As its name implies, 4 ink colors are used in four-Colour Process printing. These iv colors are Cyan, Magenta, Yellowish, and Blackness…which are known collectively as CMYK. In fact, four-Color Procedure printing is oft referred to as CMYK printing. It is likewise known every bit Four Color Printing, 4CP, Full Color Printing, or but Process Printing.

Image: formaxprintingcom_508885739.png — *Viewing a total-color image under magnification shows the distinct CMYK dots*

Full-colour images are created on the printing press by applying separate layers of the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks. Thousands of colors tin can be reproduced past overlapping these CMYK colors in various concentrations.

Applied as tiny dots on the newspaper (or other substrate), the 4 CMYK colors combine to create the visual effect we know equally total color printing.

Wait at the photographs in a printed magazine or brochure under strong magnification and you will encounter the distinct CMYK dots.

Can 4-Colour Process Printing create every Colour Imaginable?

No. Sometimes there are certain colors that cannot be reproduced exactly using the four-Colour Process method. In this case, PMS colors (also known as Spot colors or Pantone Matching Arrangement colors) are used to create a item color. PMS colors are specific color formulas that volition reproduce accurately in print. Instead of simulating colors by layering multiple ink colors with the CMYK 4-Color Process, PMS ink colors are pre-mixed from existing color formulas and assigned a standardized number.

PMS colors are often used in conjunction with the four CMYK process colors on sure projects. These are referred to as 5-colour or half dozen-color projects considering they use the four CMYK colors plus one or two PMS colors (or more) for certain elements of the design, such as a corporate logo. PMS colors by and large involve an upcharge, so they are usually reserved for projects that require a specific color (or colors) that cannot be reproduced accurately by layering the four CMYK colors.

Merely a small percentage of full-color projects necessitate the improver of PMS colors because most graphic designers refer to a Pantone Process Book and and so utilise the process color formula that is closest to the desired PMS Spot color. So if you lot intend to print the entire piece using CMYK four-color process, it is important that you don't designate PMS Spot colors in your artwork pattern. Otherwise when your PMS Spot color is converted to a CMYK process color to create printed output, it could yield a result you weren't anticipating. If in doubt, always consult with your printer earlier getting too deep into your project.

Also, don't use RGB Colors for Commercially Printed Output…

RGB stands for Red, Dark-green and Blue. The colors you run across on your reckoner monitor are created from RGB colors, as are the colors produced by digital cameras, scanners and most desktop printers. RGB and CMYK are completely different colour modes, so don't submit RGB artwork files if yous intend to print your projection using CMYK iv-color process.

If you submit RGB files, they will need to be converted to CMYK prior to printing. This could become an issue because many RGB colors cannot exist duplicated accurately using the CMYK process. So, there will be some variance between the RGB colors that are generated by your computer monitor (or desktop printer) and the CMYK colors on the finished printed pieces.

For instance, an RGB color that looked brilliant on your monitor may turn into a subdued color when your certificate is printed in CMYK. Additionally, the hues might be vastly different. Thus, it is of import that you always gear up your artwork file(s) in CMYK and consult a Pantone Process book to see how the colors will appear equally printed output. This will help forbid any unexpected results.

If you lot accept any questions nigh 4-Color Process Printing, but give Formax a telephone call at 866-367-6221. Or, if you have an upcoming print project and would similar a quote, click hither to admission our easy quote request class. Nosotros await frontward to assisting with your next print project!

Have care! Keith