Printing Tips

Offset printing is the most common form of high volume commercial printing, due to advantages in quality and efficiency. Download Printable PDF

4-Color Process

The abbreviation CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (K is used rather than B in order to avoid confusion between blue and black). These are the ink colors used to produce full-color photographs and designs through four-color process printing. They can be used in different combinations to produce a wide range of colors. So how does CMYK work in print? Take a close look at a color photograph in your favorite book or magazine. You’ll notice that the image is actually made up of rows and rows of tiny dots in CMYK color, arranged in different angles. This combination of dots is called a halftone screen and is used to fool the eyes into seeing a full spectrum of colors.

Prepress Basics

It is important to remember that in order for a graphics file to be printed in CMYK, it must first be converted or created in the CMYK mode. The process for adjusting the color setting varies depending on the software being used to create the file. During the printing process, each of the four colors is imaged on a metal plate. Saving the file in CMYK allows the computer to tell the printer what data should go on which plate. It is best to use the Industry standard graphic design applications when preparing your files. Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Quark XPress, etc. Remeber to always include all fonts and linked files when send creative.

Send Laser Proofs!

Just about 100% of jobs sent to printers these days arrive as digital files. Whether you email documents, upload your job via the printer's FTP site (File Transfer Protocol), or mail a CD, you should always include a hard copy - a simple laser proof—so the printer sees what's on your file.

Sheetfed vs. Web Printing

Printers consider a lot of variables for each job, including the size, format, cost, quality and run length, when deciding how to run a print job. Here's a good rule of thumb: sheetfed presses are more economical on shorter print runs, and web presses are best for very long print runs. Stock is also a big determining factor.

Job Specs

Every printer needs to know your job's specs in order to give you a good estimate for it. Specs include things like quantity, format, page count, finished size, number of colors, paper, and finishing requirements.

Paper: Uncoated vs. Coated

Uncoated papers have a rough, more natural feel to them. Examples of uncoated stock are newsprint, offset, opaque and writing. These papers tend to be more porous and soak up ink creating a more muted or dull look to bright colors. Uncoated paper does not give off a glare making it a good substrate to print materials meant to be read. Coated papers, by contrast, have a smoother finish and are not very porous. Ink will sit on the surface of coated paper, giving type and photos a sharper look. Ink takes longer to dry when printed on coated stock. Most coated stocks are very difficult to write on or to read from, especially if the document is meant to be read for a long period of time. Coated paper comes in a dull or glossy finish, but shouldn't be confused with varnish.

Varnish Basics

Varnish acts like an ink. It's applied either during the printing process (known as in-line varnishing) or after a job's printed (off-line varnishing). There are four basic types of varnishes: gloss, matte, satin, and tinted. Varnish can add extra gloss or durability to a printed piece that regular inks can't provide. Varnishes are most effective on coated stocks. A varnish will soak into an uncoated stock, which effectively wastes the varnish.

Spot Colors

Spot colors are used to match colors from a printed piece or design (example: colors from a logo). Colors are organized into color systems to ensure that a printer uses the specific color intended by the designer. Spot colors are drawn from these color systems. The most common of the spot color standards is the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Spot colors can also be used alongside process (CMYK) colors for greater flexibility.