What is pleasing colour?
What are bleeds?
Why are colours on my monitor different when printed?
What is CMYK?
What is CTP?
What does per M mean?
What is Trap Registration?
Resolution & Colour Depth?
Digital Printing vs Press Printing?
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What is pleasing colour?
Pleasing Colour is a term used in the printing industry to describe the standard used to evaluate the colour quality on the printed sheet. Although different commercial printers make their own rules about pleasing colour, our standard is that the colours be brilliantly bright within the intended limits of the process. We also insist that they are colour natural, which means that the colour has good contrast with detail in both highlight and shadow areas and they are clean and free from dust and artifacts. Keep in mind that if the file you submit is not created optimizing colour reproduction we cannot be expected to improve or correct your error. If you supply us artwork files that are not press ready, such as missing bleeds, we will advise you so that you can correct any problems to our instruction or we can fix the problem at our end at minimal cost.
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What are bleeds?
If you want a background color or image to extend to the edge of the sheet so no white paper is showing you must extend the background or image past the trim edges of the layout. The part that extends past the trim edges is referred to as bleed. We prefer you extend the bleed edges 1/8 th or .125 past the trim line. This allows for a small margin of error in the cutting tolerance and prevents a white thin edge showing around the paper. Ask us to provide a free template that is set up for the correct bleed for your project.
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Why are colours on my monitor different when printed?
Colors on your monitor or samples from your printer will not match a sheet printed on a printing press. Computer monitors display the colours in RGB mode and we print in CMYK or spot Pantone mode. It is physically impossible for the printing press to exactly reproduce colors as we see them on our monitors.
If you require color matching, let us know ahead of time an we can discuss the options available to you for this part of the proofing process. Apart from a PDF proof sent via email, we can supply you with a Hi-Resolution digital proof which will represent the colours very closely or for very critical situations we can arrange a time for you to attend a press proof the moment it is scheduled to run on the press.
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What is CMYK?
CMYK refers to the primary colors of pigment: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These are the inks used on the press in "4-color process printing", commonly referred to as "full color printing". RGB refers to the primary colors of light, Red, Green and Blue, that are used in monitors, television screens, digital cameras and scanners. The combination of RGB light creates white, while the combination of CMYK inks creates black.
Many programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Draw or InDesign all have the capability to convert the layout/images from the RGB color space to the CMYK color space. If you are supplying your own press ready artwork, we request that you convert your colors from RGB to CMYK . By doing it yourself, you have maximum control over the results. You may notice a shift in color when converting from RGB to CMYK. If you do not like the appearance in CMYK, we recommend that you make adjustments while working with the CMYK colour palette or mixer.
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What is CTP?
CTP Computer to Plate is an imaging system technology used in the modern printing process. With this technology, images and layouts created with a graphic design application is output directly to a printing plate. With the older traditional methods, photographic film is made from the  digital information and used expose a plate. The CTP process eliminates that film step completely.
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What does per M mean?
This is a common unit of measure used in the printing industry. M means 1000 pieces and is expressed as, an example $100.00/M where every 1000 pieces will cost $100.00. Using unit of measure clearly shows the various price breaks when quoting the same item with various quantities. As with all printing processes, the more you order the cheaper the unit cost becomes. This is due to the bulk of the cost being in the press setup and make ready.
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What is Trap Registration?
Trap registration is when two or more colours in a printed piece are touching each other. Graphic designers employ a technique known as Trapping also referred to as Spreading and Choking. This is the prepress procedure of creating small overlaps between abutting colours in order to compensate for registration problems on the printing press.
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Resolution & Colour Depth?
Colour depth is used to describe the maximum number amount of colour information or variety that is used in an image. The higher the number of colours then the more realistic the image will appear. With bitmap images, the selected colour depth will affect the final file size.

The resolution of an image is determined by the number of individually addressable points that make up the image, whether it is the number of pixels that make up a screen image, or the number of dots that make up a printed image. The more points that are used to create an image, then the more detail the image can reproduce and the sharper it will appear when viewed or printed.
When using bitmap graphics, whatever resolution is chosen, information needs to be stored for each pixel or printer dot. This means the higher the resolution, the more information needs to be stored for an image of any given size. This does not apply when using vector graphics. Concerns about vector graphic resolution only needs to be made when the image is converted to a bitmap.
The following describe how the different colour models work, although these examples refer to pixels, the same applies to dots in a printed image.
Monochrome (e.g. Black & White)
This has the lowest storage requirement, because we only need to know whether the pixel should be on or off, the information for each pixel be stored in a Bit, or put another way, we can store the information for eight pixels in one Byte of storage space.
Greyscale (256 shades of Grey)
Because a Byte can be one of 256 values, then each pixel requires one Byte of storage space.
256 Colours (Palleted)
This format allows each pixel to be one of 256 colours stored in a Colour Look up Table (CLUT), more commonly referred to as the palette. The palette is also saved with the file so this adds slightly to the file size, but the information for each pixel is stored in one Byte of storage space.
Note: The GIF format, is a variation of the above, in that it allows you to decide upon the size of the palette stored with the image, this allows you to reduce the overall file size, if your image does not use many colours. Generally 256 colour formats store the whole 256 colour palette, whether the image uses them or not.
16 Bit Colour (High Colour)
Though not quite as common now as a few years ago, this format uses two Bytes to store the information, one Byte for the colour and one Byte for the shade of the colour. This gave a total of 65,536 colours (256x256). So each pixel requires two Bytes of storage space.
24 Bit Colour
This format stores the Red, Green and Blue value for each pixel. Each of these can be one of 256 values, giving a total of 16,777,216 colours (256x256x256). Using 16 million colours allows for very photorealistic images, but increases the storage space requirements to three Bytes for each pixel.
32 Bit Colour (True Colour)
This format uses the same format as above for the Red, Green and Blue colours but also stores transparency information for each pixel. This allows each pixel to be one of 256 values from fully opaque to fully transparent. Because of the extra transparency information, the storage space for each pixel now requires four Bytes.
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Digital Printing vs Press Printing?
When it comes time to print your business material, there's one common question for you to consider — whether to print the digital method or traditional press. Digital Printing is less expensive on very short runs only and with a faster turn around due to the direct-to-paper reproduction process. There are many differences between the two processes, some of which are outlined below.
Digital Printing
Varying colour accuracy — Digital printing is a four-colour printing process. Four colours — cyan, magenta, yellow, and black — are printed in tiny dots that when visually mixed together, create various colours. This, in addition to the different set-ups and settings on each machine, different batch runs and printing shops, can produce a wide range of different colour results. You can never be certain what you'll get.
Varing colour range — Four-colour printing has limitations on the brightness, saturation, and range of colours available — when mixing colours in this way. To produce bright reds, oranges, blues, and purples, especially, press printing is a better choice.
Cost of proofing — Proofing is one way to produce accurate colour. Proofing can be costly, especially when compared to the overall cost of the job. But, since the proof is created on the same equipment that the final job is printed on, it is often quite accurate.
Can be faster — Since no pre-press work or press setup is needed, running your job on a digital press can be faster, depending on how many jobs the printer has in the queue before yours. Three days is a standard turnaround time for many of the web-based digital printing companies.
Limited paper choice — Digital presses can only accommodate a limited paper thickness, and many digital printing companies only offer smooth, white papers. Thus, if a thick business card is important to you, then digital printing is not your right choice.
Limited finishing choices — Foil stamping, metallic inks, and embossing services are usually not offered by digital printing houses. Some digital printers also do not offer die-cutting or special folding services.
Limited choice of material sizes, styles, and formats — Digital printers will offer a very specific "menu" or range of products. If you want to create innovative marketing materials, such as brochure-style business cards, then digital printing is not a choice for your project. Large formats are also not available with many digital printers, as the largest paper size they can accommodate is 11" x 17".
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Press Printing
Cheaper on quantities of 250 and up — The difference in costs is mainly due to setup costs. For press printing, films must be produced (unless a CTP system is used), and plates may have to be produced as well, which are additional items that add to the overall cost. Additional time is involved in setting up and aligning the press, as well as washing the press. Also, there are more overruns from traditional printing, since you cannot program in a specific number of pages to be printed as you can with a digital printer. Most printers consider overruns to be billable, or they add an additional cost for that into the initial estimate. Jobs done on a press will typically run about twice the cost of digital printing.
Excellent colour accuracy — The Pantone Matching System (PMS) offers great colour accuracy. Pantone colours are mixed to precise, pre-set specifications, which are printed each year in their colour matching guides. You can consult these books to see exactly what the final colour will look like in advance. It's a lot like going to the paint store and specifying colours for your home on the paint chips they offer — you know what you'll get. So, if colour accuracy is important to you, then press printing may be the best choice.
Brighter colours are available — Since the Pantone colours are mixed using inks, they can be created to be much brighter and more intense. So, if lively colours are important to your brand image, then press printing may be the way to go.
Cost of proofing — For four-colour press jobs, proofing is often not too expensive when compared to the overall cost of the job. However, it can be inaccurate, depending on the type of proof run and the type of press on which your final job will be printed.
For two- or three- colour jobs printed using the Pantone system, complete colour proofing is often not available. However, samples of the colours are available in the Pantone books. And, inexpensive laser prints or inkjet prints can be created to view the positioning of the elements of the page. With a little imagination, you can visualize how the final job will look.
Press printing can take longer than digital — There are several additional steps involved in press printing, which are taken care of using direct-to-press, digital technology. Film (excluding CTP presses) and plates must be made, the press set up, run the job and then time is needed for drying before cutting, folding, and other finishing must take place.
Types of paper — Choose from an entire rainbow of paper colours — fire-engine red to deep blue, sunflower yellow to pitch black. There is also a wide range of thicknesses and textures from which to choose, including specialty papers, such as vellum and metallic papers. If you are considering using nontraditional paper your card or materials, press printing is the best way to go.
Fine line screens are available — The result of this is that even under close inspection, the colour will look smooth and seamless. It will also appear brighter and more intense.
Wide range of finishing techniques — All finishing options are possible with press printing. Metallic inks can be run through the press as easily as can a nonmetallic ink. Embossing, die cutting, and foil stamping can be done in traditional printing houses. You can create materials that really stand out using these techniques.
Innovative formats, shapes, and sizes are possible — Traditional press printing can accommodate a wide range of paper sizes and can result in innovative and creative finished projects. This is largely due to the "have-it-your-way" range of options, where you can specify special sizes and finishing techniques.
We hope that the above information on the pros and cons of both digital printing and press printing helps you to decide which you will choose to produce your materials. However, if in doubt please contact us for an opinion.
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