What is Full Color Printing?Full color printing is when a colorful image, like a logo or photo, is printed onto some kind of surface. You'll see it used for magazines, stickers, greeting cards, billboards, mugs, bags, and so much more.Take a look at some other examples of full color imprints!
Book CoversMouse PadsBirthday CakesFour color printing can also be referred to as:Digital printingFour color processFour color printingCMYK printingCMYK processNo matter how you call it, your design will really pop with this printing method. It makes for an eye-catching and vibrant final product, whether it's a magazine cover or a birthday cake!
What is CMYK Printing?You will sometimes hear full color printing referred to as the CMYK process. This stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black – the colors used to create the printed images.CyanMagentaYellowBlack
In digital printing, the images are formed on a computer using a collection of dots in some combination of these four colors. A certain percentage of one color paired with a certain percentage of another will yield a new color. For example, 100% cyan with 100% magenta produces a violet color.This collection of dots ends up forming one solid image that is eventually printed onto a product like a t-shirt, sticker, or poster via lasers or inkjet printers. Screens can also be used to transfer the image onto the product.Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black can be combined to form a crazy number of colors. You can't even tell those were the only four colors used when looking at the final printed image!
What's the Difference Between Spot Color and Process Color?CMYK (also known as process colors) isn't the only way to print full color images. Spot colors can also be used. The difference between the two is broken down below:
https://lenashore.com/2015/11/whats-the-difference-between-spot-and-process-printingSpot ColorsThe printer only has to be ran one time to transfer the image to the surfaceThe ink is either one single pure color or a mix of a bunch of different colors other than cyan, magenta, yellow, or blackFormed without the use of dotsMore expensive to printProcess ColorsThe printer has to be ran multiple times to transfer the image to the surfaceThe ink is some combination of cyan, magenta, yellow, or blackFormed with dotsLess expensive to printThe quality of the final full color image will be affected by whether spot or process colors are used. With spot colors, the image is going to be accurate and consistent every time it's printed. Process colors, on the other hand, will result is some color variation from printer to printer.
Pantone is a good example of spot colors. This color matching system has been around since 1963 and provides an exact code for your ink, giving you accuracy in the colors you're printing.
Pantone is especially important when it comes to printing logos. Can you imagine a different green behind the Starbucks mermaid? It would change the image and would also hurt the consistency we've come to expect from their brand.
If you have a distinct logo like Starbucks, spot colors are worth the investment. They ensure you always get the same shade, no matter what printer is used.
What Are Some Other Full Color Printing Methods?Aside from digital printing, there are other ways to transfer a full color image onto a surface. This includes:Direct to garment (DTG) printingOffset printingDye sublimation#1: Direct to Garment (DTG) PrintingDirect to garment printing is used specifically for textiles. The garment is held in place and special water-based inks are sprayed on by hand. The ink then soaks into the fibers of the t-shirt, bag, or other piece of apparel, forming the final design.DTG printing is commonly used on:FabricVinyl#2: Offset PrintingOffset printing, also referred to as lithography, is a four color process where the inked image is transferred from a printing plate to a rubber cylinder and then applied to a surface. This process is used by a variety of industries when it comes to commercial printing.Offset printing is commonly used on:LeatherMetalWoodCardboard#3: Dye SublimationThis method allows full color images to be printed onto all kinds of surfaces. Unlike the traditional four color process, dye sublimation involves printing a design onto transfer paper instead of screens. Special machines then use a combination of heat and pressure to press the paper onto the item.Dye sublimation is commonly used on:PolyesterCorkCeramicsCardboardNo matter which method is used, the full color printer isn't like the one sitting on your desk at home. It's a lot bigger in scale and can work on hundreds of products at a time.
Dye Sublimation Vs. Heat Transfer PrintingDigital sublimation is fairly similar to another process known as heat transfer. The biggest difference is dye sublimation is best for only polyesters, whereas heat transfer can be used on either cotton or polyester.This chart breaks it all down:
Dye SublimationThe design is created when heat is applied to specialty transfer paperBest for polyesters onlyRecommended for white or light-colored garmentsGreat for full color imagesWorks for a variety of non-fabric products like coasters, jewelry, mugs, puzzles, etc.More expensive and durableHeat TransferThe design is created when heat is applied to specialty transfer paperWorks on cottons or polyestersRecommended for black or dark-colored garmentsGreat for single color imagesWorks for fabric products like clothes, aprons, oven mitts, towels, etc.Less expensive and durable
Think about what each method offers before choosing either dye sublimation or heat transfer. Either option is a good choice, it just depends on your budget and what you're looking to print.
Why Does it Cost More to Print in Color?Printing in full color rather than just black and white costs more money due to the number of ink cartridges that are used. There's a cost for the ink to be prepared, digitally rendered, and ran through the machine.However, that isn't to say you won't be able to afford this printing method, especially as a business owner. These promotional products are printed in full color, and you can get over 100 of them for less than $500.
People understand the value of printing in color. With that said, the cost for the ink is usually included in the final price. It may be a little more costly than black or white, but it can still be pretty affordable.
Recap: What You Need to Know About Full Color PrintingAll this terminology may be making your head spin. Here's a short and sweet rundown of what you need to know:
There are many names for full color printing including: digital printing, four color printing, the four color process, CMYK printing, and the CMYK process.
Spot colors are also used in full color printing, though they aren't formed by cyan, magenta, yellow, or black dots.
The full color images are printed onto a product through digital printing, offset printing, direct to garment printing, or dye sublimation.
You should now have a better grasp of full color printing. It's a great option for a variety of things – t-shirts, package design, posters, stamps, and of course, promotional products!
The Bottom LineFull color printing is used to create the books and magazines you like to read, the greeting cards you buy for birthdays, and the promotional swag you use for your business. It's truly a work of art!
Alyssa Mertesamertes@qualitylogoproducts.com866-312-5646 x 277Alyssa is the Lead Copywriter at Quality Logo Products. As a promo expert, she's uncovered the world's first custom tote bag, interviewed the guy behind rock band AC/DC's logo, and had a piece published by the Advertising Specialty Institute, a leader in the promotional products industry.
ReferencesPantone. Spot vs. Process Color. Retrieved September 10, 2019, fromhttps://www.pantone.com/articles/technical/spot-vs-process-colorClem, A. (2018, May 3). Process Color vs. Spot Color: What You Need to Know. Retrieved September 10, 2019, fromhttps://www.shutterstock.com/blog/process-color-vs-spot-colorBeaty, K. Printing Lingo: What is 4-Color Process Printing? Retrieved September 10, 2019, fromhttps://www.formaxprinting.com/blog/printing-lingo-what-is-4-color-process-printingSmith, E. (2017, April 18). CMYK All the Way. Retrieved September 11, 2019, fromhttps://tedium.co/2017/04/18/color-printing-lithography-history/Vlahos, J. (2018, October 19). Offset Printing Vs. Digital Printing | Printing Terminology 101. Retrieved September 11, 2019, fromhttps://www.printi.com/blog/offset-printing-vs-digital-printingEncyclopedia Britannica. Offset Printing. Retrieved September 11, 2019, fromhttps://www.britannica.com/technology/offset-printingBig Acrylic. The Difference Between Dye Sublimation and Digital Printing. Retrieved September 12, 2019, fromhttps://www.bigacrylic.com/difference-dye-sublimation-digital-printing/Gifford, J. DTG vs. Screen Printing. Retrieved September 12, 2019, fromhttps://www.formaxprinting.com/blog/printing-lingo-what-is-4-color-process-printingMaurer, M. Heat Transfer Paper vs. Sublimation Printing. Retrieved September 13, 2019, fromhttps://www.coastalbusiness.com/blog/heat-transfer-paper-vs-sublimation.html