Full Color Offset Printing
High quality, full color commercial printing is done on offset presses using a four- color build process called CMYK. CMYK stands for Cyan (blue), Magenta (red), Yellow and Black. These four colors are used to create or build the multitude of color shades seen in a vibrant, full color printed piece. Your computer monitor is in RGB. Because of this different color model and the wide variation in monitor technologies and calibration, the colors will be similar, but not exact. If you print a sample on your ink jet or laser color printer, there may be instances of a substantial variation from the high quality produced from the offset lithographic presses. If you have you special colors that are not typical (for instance, a PMS color), see spot color below.

Spot Colors
Spot colors are used most frequently for one and two color jobs and when an exact color needs to be produced every time. Logos are perfect examples for spot colors. The Pantone PMS color matching system is most frequently used for selection and printing of spot colors. For example, if your logo needs a distinctive blue, tell your commercial printer your Pantone PMS color choice. This number will then be matched on the press to deliver the exact result you need.

RGB vs. CMYK
RGB is a color build system used by your computer monitor to displays full color. CMYK is the color space that commercial printing presses uses to reproduce your printing project. RGB is Red, Green and Blue, while CMYK is Cyan (blue), Magenta (red), Yellow and Black. The printed project that you design or see on the computer screen will not necessarily be the same exact colors that will be reproduced by a high quality offset printing press. In most instances there will not be a big difference, but there are some colors produced by RGB on a color computer monitor that cannot be reproduced via CMYK on press. For more information, click here.

Color Printing
It is important to understand where to use full color and where not to use it. If you plan to design a cost-effective brochure, make sure your full color is on the cover, not just the back page. For example, a tri-folded brochure has its front cover on the backside of a sheet. To learn more about alternatives, take several already printed, tri-folded brochures and unfold and examine them closely. This process will allow you to get a feel for deign, folding and color options and interactions. For more information on finishing options, click here. The paper selected can also have a significant impact on color reproduction. For full color printing, a coated, gloss paper is best to make your color photographs, images and graphics appear more vivid, real and appealing. For more information on paper alternatives, click here.