At Printed Bag Factory, we believe in providing our customers with the highest quality printing options for their custom bags. Understanding the different printing techniques can help you make an informed decision about which method best suits your needs. In this blog post, we will explain the basics of spot colour, process, and gradient print.
Spot Colours
Spot colours are created without screens or dots and are often referred to as solid colours. These colours are found in the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM®, a standardized colour reproduction system. From a palette of 14 base colours, each spot colour is mixed according to its unique ink formula developed by Pantone. This process is similar to mixing yellow and blue paint to get green, but with added precision. Solid spot colours are preferable for a clean print on plastic carrier bags.
For example, a logo design can be printed using spot colours like Black c and 485c to achieve a vibrant and precise result.
Colour – Gradients
Gradients involve halftoning, which breaks down continuous tones into regularly spaced but variably sized spots. This technique is commonly used for printing on plastic carrier bags at around 45 dpi. Halftoning allows for smooth transitions between colours, creating a visually appealing gradient effect.
An example of this is a 4 colour process image (CMYK) printed with a gradient at 45 dpi on plastic or paper, showing the actual screen gradient.
CMYK
The CMYK method, also known as four-colour process, is used to achieve full-colour printing. A colour image is separated into four different colours: Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y), and Black (K). These separations are then transferred to four different printing plates, each applied at different angles to create the final image. When printed on paper, the original image is recreated with the illusion of continuous tone.
For instance, a detailed view of a butterfly image shows how the CMYK process can produce vibrant and detailed prints.
Conclusion
At Printed Bag Factory, we offer a range of printing options to meet your specific needs. Whether you prefer the precision of spot colours, the smooth transitions of gradients, or the full-colour capabilities of CMYK, we have the expertise to deliver high-quality results. Contact us today to learn more about our printing services and how we can help bring your designs to life.