This process is done using CMYK = Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. A tray for each of these four colours is in the Offset Press and the ink is poured in. When the paper is pulled through the machine it prints one ink at a time so 'drying time' is required before the paper can be put back through for the second, third and fourth colours. If a Spot Colour is required, many machines can add additional trays and the job can be put through a fifth time for the first spot colour, and again for additional colours. Some machines don't have additional trays so have to go through the time-consuming process of cleaning out one or their CMYK trays and replacing the ink with a Spot Colour, then changing it back afterwards.

Spot Colours are colours that are found in commercially available colour ranges such a Pantone. These specific colours can be used in addition to CMYK (Cyan, Magents, Yellow & Black) when C.M.Y.K. cannot achieve the desired colour. These Spot Colours are pre-mixed and can be added to the process as described above, by running the stock through the machine additional times, once for each colour. Spot Colours can also be Gold, Silver, Bronze or other metallic or fluorescent colours that would never be possible from a CMYK breakdown.

The use of Spot Colours can be costly as a separate plate is required for each colour. For a normal offset printed 4 colour process job, only four plates would be required.

Spot Colours can also be used instead of CMYK. If you wanted, for example, a brochure printed in your companys' specific blue and green colours - that would only require two printing plates, and the machine that would print the job would need these two colours added into their additional trays - think of paint trays when you're using a roller to paint your house, but inserted into a large printing press.

To view the Pantone Colour range available, you would need to purchase a Pantone Colour Swatch Book, which can be very pricey. A print & design store would let you see their books, which are available in 'Coated' and 'Un-Coated' options, depending on what stock they have been printed on which does change the colours.

My tip for Choosing a Colour would be be to go to a paint store and take away some printed colour swatches that they have available for choosing house paint. Make sure this is the colour you want when viewing it under natural lighting. You can then take this into a print store and match it to the closest CMYK breakdown, or a specific Pantone Colour.

The Strangest Colour Matching Request we ever received was a squashed berry taped to a letter and posted to us to request the closest colour match we could achieve. Though original we would far prefer to receive your paint-swatches or a bit of fabric to match too. Something a little less... sticky.

An Important Note is to discuss with your Graphic Designer what your future printing may consist of, because using a Pantone Colour could become costly if you have to add this colour in each print run, rather than being able to print in a normal four colour print process or digitally print your work. The best colour to choose would be a spot colour that is achievable in CMYK - check this with your funky design & print professional!