CMYK

Since printing relies on the CMYK process, which uses four colours of ink (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black), it's natural for there to be minor variations in colour.

This variation might mean that colours appear slightly altered on paper at the beginning of a large print job compared to those at the end. Furthermore, these variances can become more pronounced between different print batches.

To reduce the impact of these colour differences, we suggest several optimal CMYK values.

Suggested CMYK values

We strive to keep colour discrepancies as minimal as possible. However, it's important to note that matching colours with prints from other providers is something we might not always achieve.

Digital vs Litho

Digital and litho printing processes yield sublte variations in colour output.  Digital is perfect for shorter print runs, whereas litho printing, with its excels at larger quantities. 

 For a deeper dive into how these two printing methods compare, please read our guide below.

Digital vs Litho printing

Paper types

Printing the same design on both silk and uncoated paper will result in colour differences due to how each paper absorbs the CMYK ink.

Silk paper is your go-to for the truest colour replication, whereas gloss paper intensifies colour saturation, and uncoated or recycled paper tends to make the final colour appear darker and less vibrant.

Keep these characteristics in consideration when selecting your printing paper, particularly as uncoated papers have gained significant popularity lately.

Read our guide to paper

Laminations

Just like with paper types, laminated finishes can influence the final colours of your print project.

Take for instance, silk paper paired with matt lamination is a popular pick for cover papers, mainly because matt lamination cuts down on glare. This type of lamination can also make colours a bit less vibrant and may add a subtle coloured tint. In the same way, gloss paper benefits from gloss laminate, which boosts colour vibrancy and adds an additional shiny coating to your cover paper.

Read our guide to finishes