Color Requirements

Color Requirements

Full Color Process Printing:

  • We recommend a minimum resolution of 300 dpi for any Photoshop files or placed (raster) image for best quality.
  • Every element of the file must be colored with process CMYK colors (no RGB, indexed color, etc.).
  • If RGB or other non-CMYK colors are used in your files, the necessary conversion to CMYK will change the appearance of the colors when we print, sometimes dramatically.
  • Pantone® colors – While we are often able to closely reproduce a spot PMS® ink using process full color, PMS® spot colors and process colors are produced using different methods. Therefore, colors produced in full color will differ from Pantone® spot colors, sometimes significantly. Please refer to a Solid to Process Color Imaging Guide for color conversions.

Printing Black vs. Black for Full Color Orders:

In order to achieve the best possible results for your order, it is important to understand when to use Printing Black and when to use 100% Black.
Printing Black is a build of CMYK inks that allow ink to appear richer and more vibrant. Using 100% Black gives the appearance of a muted black tone. Follow the guidelines below for creating the look you desire.

Full Color Flat

Use Printing Black (C80%, M80%, Y80% K95%) instead of 100% Black when in registration with other colors, in areas with heavy ink coverage and for bold type or lines that are thicker than 2 1/2 points.Full Color Raised BC – Always use the CMYK percentages above for “Printing Black” regardless of registration or coverage.Full Color Raised LH or ENV – Use Printing Black (C80%, M80%, Y80% K95%) instead of 100% Black when in registration with other colors, in areas with heavy ink coverage and for bold type or lines that are thicker than 2 1/2 points.

Full Color Raised/Thermography Printing

Light skin tones, light colors, and low screen percentages will have a negative impact on the raised appearance of your product. For best raised printing results, we recommend that the “Total Area Coverage” be at 150% or higher. Total Area Coverage (TAC) is the total of the CMYK value of a color. For example, a card using a light blue color with a CMYK mix of 89, 10, 0, 0 has a TAC of 99%. This color won’t have a good raise as there is not enough ink coverage to hold thermography powder

Spot Color Printing:

  • Spot orders should be colored using the correct spot color swatch.
  • For Pantone Matching System® (PMS®) colors, it is best to use the PANTONE solid uncoated library that is already loaded within the program.
  • We recommend a minimum resolution of 300 dpi for any Photoshop file or placed (raster) image for best quality. Black & White Bitmap Image Mode should be used unless screens are present, Grayscale Image Mode should be used if screens are present.

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