Colour Guide
Colour plays a major role in how your finished print looks, and the colour mode used in your artwork can directly affect the final result. Understanding the differences between CMYK, RGB and Pantone will help you prepare files correctly and achieve more consistent, predictable colours in print.
Colours in Print
The basis of all print is colour on a specific stock! from a single colour black on 400gsm white uncoated paper Business Card to a full colour vibrant Advertising board on 5mm foamex.
Lets run through some of the colour modes and see what is required for best results for printing, and also some tips on how to convert your colours for the correct output.
Lets run through some of the colour modes and see what is required for best results for printing, and also some tips on how to convert your colours for the correct output.
CMYK
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (the K refers to key which is ‘key colour’ or black!) this is the most widely used method for printing and the one we use at Better Printing on both our Offset Litho and Digital presses.
This method is also referred to as ‘four’ or ‘full ‘colour process and involves using the four colours in various mixes to create and reproduce the full colour palette required for all print jobs.
While CMYK printing does an incredible job on most colours there are times when it is limited in its reliability and for strict brand guidelines you may need to use a Pantone colour.
This method is also referred to as ‘four’ or ‘full ‘colour process and involves using the four colours in various mixes to create and reproduce the full colour palette required for all print jobs.
While CMYK printing does an incredible job on most colours there are times when it is limited in its reliability and for strict brand guidelines you may need to use a Pantone colour.
Pantone Colours
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) use numbers to identify specific colours, the system uses a strict mixture of pigments to create the ‘spot’ colours that are then used for single colour inks.
The Pantone system has many special specific categories it can produce, such as metallics, fluorescents (neons) and pastels.
We have a five colour press so we can run a CMYK job with a 5th Pantone colour as well at the same time. If additional colours are needed they can be ran through the press again, alternatively up to 5 Pantone colours could be run on their own.
The Pantone system has many special specific categories it can produce, such as metallics, fluorescents (neons) and pastels.
We have a five colour press so we can run a CMYK job with a 5th Pantone colour as well at the same time. If additional colours are needed they can be ran through the press again, alternatively up to 5 Pantone colours could be run on their own.
RGB
RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue and is an additive colour mode that is used for screen displays such as Televisions projectors and of course computer screens!.
We cannot print in RGB so there has to be a conversion to CMYK, this has traditionally been problematic as the conversion results can be unpredictable, and something that looks full and vibrant on screen due to the interaction of light can, look dull and washed out on paper sometimes.
Modern RIPS (raster image processors) however are now very good at converting between colour modes, particularly with photographic images.
We cannot print in RGB so there has to be a conversion to CMYK, this has traditionally been problematic as the conversion results can be unpredictable, and something that looks full and vibrant on screen due to the interaction of light can, look dull and washed out on paper sometimes.
Modern RIPS (raster image processors) however are now very good at converting between colour modes, particularly with photographic images.
Need Help with Your Banner Artwork?
Whether you already have print-ready files or need advice on preparing your colours correctly, our team is here to help. Contact us for practical guidance or a quick quote, and let us help you achieve the best possible result from your banner printing.