Design for Print.

Presentation

- Colour processes.

CMYK

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Key (Black)

The CMYK process is also know as the 'four colour' process. This process is mainly used when printing photography, or a document with a large variety of colours. It can, however, make colours look a little dull when printed, as all four CMYK plates are used to create the colour.

Comparison with RGB

RGB (red, green & blue) is specifically for display devices.

Greyscale

One colour process, using all tonal values of grey. Mainly used for branding and disposable products such as newspapers.

Monotone

One colour process, again, using all tonal values of that colour. Though the latter is correctly known as greyscale. Can introduce other colours through stock.

Duotone

Two colour process, using all tonal values of them colours. Spot colours can also be used for this process. Again, can introduce colour through stock.

Spot Colour

A specifically mixed colour, which would replace the CMYK plates. These colours can be custom hand mixed inks, metallic, fluorescent and spot varnishes. The colours become much more vibrant and are usually printed as they are seen on screen, as apposed to using the CMYK process. Usually cheaper than the CMYK process, but can become expensive when using more than 4 spot colours.

Classification

Pantone - Most popular in UK and Europe

Toyo - Popular spot colour system in Japan

DIC - Again, popual in Japan

ANPA - A pallete of 300 spot colours used in American Newspapers

GCMI - A standard for colour used in package printing

HKS - A German colour system which contains 120 spot colours