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The 4-Color Printing Process
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The Principles of 4-Color Printing
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| Digital and offset printing technologies are basically 4-color processes, although top-end shops often operate printers or presses capable of applying additional colors (toner or ink). |
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| The traditional 4-color process is defined by its use of four colors of ink which are placed on paper in layers of dots to create the illusion of many more colors. This technique is generally referred to as CMYK: ‘C’ is cyan (light blue); ‘M’ is magenta (red); ‘Y’ is yellow; and ‘K’ is black. |
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| As the illustration below demonstrates, the 4-color printing process comes close to simulating the full spectrum of color. |
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C
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Cyan 'information' or 'separation'
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M
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Magenta 'information' or 'separation'
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Y
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Yellow 'information' or 'separation'
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K
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Black 'information' or 'separation'
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Composite or full-color printed piece
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