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Types of Ink | Coatings
- Ink is available in dozens of standard colors. The standard colors may vary
between manufacturers, so consult your supplier for their list of standard
colors.
- If a non-standard ink color is required, you may ask your supplier to match
a specific sample or you can provide a Pantone Matching System
(PMS) number. The PMS book contains hundreds of color choices. Some
colors are much more expensive than others so an upcharge may be applied if
certain colors are required. If the ink has to match a specific color sample
where a PMS color cannot be used, your upcharge will generally be more expensive.
If the card or label is a plastic material, color matching may not be guaranteed.
- The following is a list of some of the standard ink colors provided by many
suppliers:
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Process Yellow
012 Pantone Yellow
165 Orange
Warm Red
032 Red
185 Red
199 Red
Rubine Red
Process Magenta
Rhodamine Red
464 Brown
470 Brown
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Pantone Purple
Reflex Blue
286 Blue
072 Pantone Blue
293 Blue
Process Blue
Process Cyan
Pantone Green
347 Green
423 Gray
Black
Process Black
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- Spot Color - colors applied using separate plates to add
color in specific areas, each plate having a different image that
is printed.
- Duotones - two halftone images, which were produced using
different screen angles, that are printed over each other. Duotones
are generally printed in black and another color.
- Tritones - three halftone images, produced at different
screen angles, which were made from the same image and then printed
over each other in three different colors.
- Quadtones - four halftone images, produced at different
screen angles, which were made from the same image and then printed
over each other in four different colors.
- Process Color - four process colors, cyan, magenta, yellow,
and black, printed on top of each other. Each color uses the same
image produced at varying intensities, to reproduce a full color
image.
- High Fidelity Color (Hi-Fi) - a method of color printing
which utilizes additional process ink colors to produce a greater
range of color.
- Prismatic Ink - the blending of two or more colors in a
single printing unit. This produces a blend of color that is difficult
to duplicate. It is most often used as a security feature.
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View Samples
of Special Ink Features
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Note: Ink colors may vary
when printed on different card and label stocks. A color will look
different on a matte litho stock than it will on a high gloss stock.
On an affixed product the ink may appear different on the carrier
than it does on the affixed product if they are constructed of different
material. An adjustment in the ink color may have to be made on one
or the other if matching the color is critical.
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Types of Ink
Different stocks will require the use of different
types of ink. The affixed card or label, may require a different type of ink
than the carrier if they are constructed of different material. The type of
material, finish, absorbency, texture, printer type and intended use of the
product will all be factors in what type of ink should be used. Your manufacturer
will know what ink is appropriate for the type of stock or printer being used.
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Note: Any affixed or integrated
product that will run through a laser printer needs to be printed
in heat resistant ink.
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Coatings
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Lamination - The bonding of a plastic film
by use of heat and pressure. Lamination will make the card or label
more durable and adds protection against scratching and outside weather
conditions. The lamination can have a gloss or matte finish. Each
will have a different affect on the appearance of the product.
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Varnish - A thin, liquid protective coating
applied to the product. It adds protection and enhances the appearance
of the product. Varnish can be applied as an all over coating or it
can be applied as a spot coating. Not recommended for products that
will be exposed to outside weather conditions.
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