Process color uses translucent CMYK inks laid on top of one another to fool your eye into seeing other colours. To reproduce a color image, a file is separated into four different colors: Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y) and Black (K). During separation, screen tints comprised of small dots are applied at different angles to each of the four colors. The screened separations are then transferred to four different printing plates, one for each color, and run on a printing press with one color overprinting the next.

A spot color ink is a specially-mixed hue that is not made by combining two or more inks, but instead is a single ink of a specific color. Use spot color when few colors are specified and color accuracy is critical. Spot color inks can accurately reproduce colors that are outside the gamut of process colors. The colors can be brighter or more saturated than process colours, or have special properties.

So what should you use?

In general, 1, 2 or 3 spot colors can sometimes cost less than 4-color or process color printing but when you use full-color photos, process colors may be your only option. You also would use PMS colors when you want to assure consistent color for corporate logos, etc, or if you want amazing BRIGHT colors which exceed the capability of CMYK Process Colors. Spot PMS colors should also be used when designing a logo with the intent of maintaining a consistent brand image. But we’ll save that discussion for another time. Tango Print offers 1 and 2 spot color printing on the carbonless forms and stationery where you only need to print a black and white or 1 or 2 color logos, and where you want the colors to match previously printed pieces as much as possible. All flyers, postcards, business cards and folders are printed in process full color.

Picking PMS Spot Colors
The most popular spot color system is the Pantone Matching System (or PMS). You choose the colors from a Swatchbook. Then you use the number corresponding to each color. The colors look different on coated or uncoated paper so each material has a different PMS number per color.