Desktop Publishing Carnegie-Mellon University Spring 2001 Dave Watterson Art Director, GATF
Spot Colors Requires blending different inks into one ink to obtain the desired hue Similar to mixing paints on a palette or for a house
Four color Process Dots, Dots, Dots Patterns of dots (rosette pattern) simulate the desired hue
Spot Colors Require one press unit to apply desired color Spot Color inks are more expensive than Process Inks With process printing spot colors require a 5th unit or second pass through the press
Process Colors 4 units, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Black Can “simulate” Pantone colors Process colors are cheaper than spot colors (you get what you pay for!)
Out of Gamut Some Spot colors CAN NOT be approximated by the process color system Metallic inks Neon Inks
Color Reference Systems Pantone Trumatch Focoltone Toyo
Pantone Most universally recognized Originally strictly a spot color system—13 original colors Process approximations
Trumatch 4-color process system Arranged by Hue, Saturation, Value Very reliable—seldom used
Focoltone Stands for Four-Colour-Tone More widely used in Europe and Asia Different Inkset Can check colors progressively
Toyo Great when using Toyo inks Used most widely in Pacific rim countries
Color Critical Issues Surround Paper Densitometric verification
Drawdown On YOUR paper With YOUR ink By YOUR printer
Color Control Bar Measure/Calibrate/Evaluate Star Targets Dot Gain Scales Solid Ink Density Quarter- Mid- Three-quarter tone patches
Controlling Color Quality Quality of originals and separations Paper Surface coatings and color In color and density Varnish or Coating
Printer Controlled Factors Ink Tack Pressroom humidity Paper conditioning
Uncontrollable Factors Color deficiencies Viewing light Age of piece—Environmental effects Effect of sunlight
Color Quality Pleasing color—Basic printing Match color—Good/Premium printing Match original—Premium/ Showcase printing
Contacting me I don’t have an office on campus and really work all day Please me and I will set up a meeting time as quickly as possible
Thanks for your attention! Now let’s head over to the lab (CFA Room 318)