CMYK Color
CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black). It has been known as process color, full color, 4 color, and 4c. The colors are versions of the primary colors, blue, red, yellow and black. They create full color images like you would see in a magazine or on packages. Colors are printed in a special rosette pattern that results in the final color(s).

CMYK uses four base colors, it has the potential to create a wider range of colors. Not all colors can be converted exactly to CMYK from a PMS or RGB system.

Most printing companies print as CMYK. It is the most cost effective mode of production. We at Plasticprinters print CMYK for about 75% of our jobs.

PMS Color
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) produces a specific, industry standardized color. The Pantone Matching System contains hundreds of colors, light to dark, bright to pastel; each designated by a number. PMS colors are typically used in one and two color printing and are also called spot color or flat color. The PMS colors deliver the most accurate results. Inkjet and color laser printers are not able to produce PMS colors accurately, because they print as CMYK.

PMS colors can be "screened," or printed as a lighter value of the color, in effect creating many tints of the same color from a single ink with no extra cost.

PMS also offers a wide range of Metallic colors, which cannot be produced with CMYK or RGB. Plasticprinters has many metallic inks on hand, and will always special order one if we do not have it available.


RGB Color
RGB stands for red, green and blue. RGB is used for projects that will only be seen on a screen and not printed. RGB is usually only used for projects like websites or PowerPoint presentations. Be advised that different monitors have different screen settings and that can affect the accuracy of the color display.

RGB produces vivid colors on-screen, but are very difficult to reproduce when printed. When converted to CMYK, many RGB colors look muddy and dull. Most have no Pantone equivalent at all. If your project will ever be used offline, be sure to select colors in the printing method it will be used in the most.


Color Matching
Nothing ever matches exactly. There are many uncontrollable factors that can affect the outcome of a color. The type of ink or the stock or material you are printing on. The PMS or process color swatch book is the closest representation of the color you will get off of the press. Even PMS colors vary from time to time; very little though.

Learn to think of your proofs as an approximation, and clearly explain to your designer what you are looking for. Trust your creative team to get the best match possible. Our graphics department will always let you know if we foresee any complications with any color or design before proceeding with any production.

When using color, choosing the wrong format for your project can produce unexpected or unusable results, costing you both lost time and money. Be sure to ask your printer or design department which format they would prefer.

Hopefully this quick overview gave a little insight into color systems that you may not have known about. Plasticprinters is always willing to answer any questions you may have about the printing process, colors and any other design question you may have.

Enjoy.