Images and Ink

Considerations when printing photographs and special ink colors

Viewing monitor colors as RGB

  • Full color images viewed on a monitor are created by combining the colors Red, Green and Blue resulting in a continuous tone pixel structure.

Viewing monitor colors as RGB

Photos print using dots

  • Printing plates use a high contrast process that sees images as either black or white.

  • Varying the size of printing dots will create various shades of gray.

Printing colors made from CMYK

cmyk color

  • 4-color process printing is commonly called CMYK. Images are created by combining the colors Cyan, Magenta,  Yellow  and Black.

  • Combination of CMYK dots and varying their sizes will create a secondary color.

Photograph printed as CMYK

  • There is a printing plate for each of the four colors.

CMYK Advantages

  • You can print about 6,000 colors.

  • Your computer monitor can be calibrated to match proofing systems.

  • Proofing systems can be calibrated to match printing presses.

  • Widespread understanding four-color process theory of color

The problem with CMYK is…

  • We see millions of color shades

  • Photographs record 12,000 to 14,000 colors

  • Proofing systems show 7,000 colors.

  • Printing on coated paper will reproduce only 6,000 colors

Pantone Matching System

  • Commonly known as PMS colors.

  • Made as a special color not dependent on CMYK.

  • A PMS number is an individual color identifiable anywhere in the world.

  • A PMS color requires a separate printing plate which uses one printing unit.

  • A one-color project printing a PMS color is less expensive than printing CMYK

Why not print everything in PMS?

  • Each color requires a separate printing unit.

  • For example if your logo uses a PMS color and you are printing CMYK you could increase cost by having to print a 5th color.

Pantone Books

  • To communicate color effectively you should have at your desk the following:

  • Three-Guide Set printed on coated, uncoated, and matte papers.

  • Color bridge that compares PMS colors to the CMYK equivalent.

How do we see color?

  • 8% of male population has some color perception deficiency.

  • As we age our ability to see blues and violets is hampered.

  • The light in the viewing area will change the color that we see.

How light effects what we see

How light effects what we see

Paper will change the color of ink

  • Paper surface and color affects the appearance of ink color.

how paper affects color

Ink Draw Down

  • Actual ink on running stock

  • All offset inks are transparent

  • The color of the paper will change the viewed color of ink

    • Example blue ink on yellow paper will appear to be green

  • Varnish effects can be demonstrated on an ink drawn down



See also:

RGB vs. CMYK

Colors/Inks

Communicating with Color

Paper and Ink

Printing Resources

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