In the continuously evolving packaging industry, innovations are approaching with new challenges. Attractive packaging is paramount to capturing customers. Here, colors are non-verbal elements in any product packaging that communicate with the viewers without voice. They play an important role in influencing a customer's decision and ensuring brand recognition. Customers prefer buying products packaged in eye-catching and engaging printed packaging instead of plain boxes. A printing without high-quality colors is of no use if your ultimate goal is to win customers and beat the competition in the market.
We understood the importance of the colors in printing and custom box packaging, but what color scheme to use. This question is our main concern here, and the answer is very simple. Use the CMYK color model, which is the most common color model for full color printing in the printing industry. This process model contains four primary colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
In this blog, we are going to explore the CMYK cyan magenta printing process that leaves a lasting impression on customers. Let's dive in!
CMYK is a four-color printing process that stands for Cyan Magenta Yellow Key (Black) or Cyan Magenta Yellow Keyplate. Here, the word Key indicates Black because a keyplate is usually black in color.
These four colors are the primary colors from which other colors for printing are formed. You can create 16,000 color variations from these four CMYK colors only. This printing process ensures accurate color reproduction and proper layering.
The CMYK is based on a subtractive model that minus the wavelengths of certain lengths from the white light source. It has the potential to describe the printing process itself. This color model is based on the CMY color model that uses three primary colors: Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. CMYK is different from CMY because it uses black ink in addition to the three primary colors.
As I mentioned earlier, a subtractive model subtracts certain wavelengths of light from a white light source to create a wide range of colors. The inks used in this process reduce the light to prevent it from reflecting. In this way, around 16,000 color variations are formed.
For example, if we talk about the CMY subtractive model, the inks form the following colors by subtracting white light from the inks:
1. White light - red = cyan
2. White light - green = magenta
3. White light - blue = yellow
Are you interested in knowing about the history of the CMYK Subtractive color model? Let's dive into history together! The Eagle Ink Printing Company was the first company that introduce four-color wet-on-wet printing in 1906. In the early 1900s, the company was working on the concept of process inks. For this, they combined cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors. They took the design and broke it into four primary colors. Here, the half-tones and evenly spaced dots were laid down. The colors were overlapped at different angles to create images like those on a printed page. Finally, in the year 1906, they were successful and able to use CMYK to produce a range of colors. The CMYK printing has been used since that time to even today for high-quality full color printing.
We know the four primary colors used in CMYK printing, but do you know what each color individually is? You don't know? Don't worry, let's explore these amazing colors together:
Cyan is one of the primary colors that looks like a cool blue color. It mixes with magenta and yellow colors to form new secondary colors. Let's have some cyan combinations with magenta and yellow:
Cyan + Magenta = Blue
Cyan + Yellow = Green
Cyan + Magenta + Yellow = Black
Magenta is another primary color that looks purplish red. It adds warmth and intensity to the prints. This color is mixed with cyan and yellow to produce different secondary color variations. Some magenta combinations are the following:
Magenta + Cyan = Blue, Green/Grays
Magenta + Yellow = Pure Red, Pink
Magenta + Black = Deep Pinks/ Purples
Yellow is a bright color that adds energy to the printing. It is mixed with cyan and magenta to form other secondary colors. Some secondary colors are given below:
Yellow + Cyan = Green
Yellow + Magenta = Red, Orange
Yellow + Magenta + Cyan = Brown
Black is the primary color denoted by K in the CMYK. It is formed by combining cyan, magenta, and yellow. It is used for adding attention to detail in packaging. You can use it to define edges, display clear text, and create shadows.
Is your business about products that need screen printing? If so, we recommend that you read our guide to understand CMYK Angles for Screen Printing.
Have you observed that B is for Black, but in CMYK, K is being used? Why is K being used instead of B, which is easier to remember? Actually, behind this fact, two schools of thought led to the use of K in place of B.
The alphabet B comes at the start of more than one color, especially in Blue and Black. If we use B, then there will be confusion for a person who is hearing the name for the first time. He will be confused that B stands for Blue here, or stands for black.
In addition to this confusion, B for Blue was used in the RGB model, so using this in CMYK will definitely create confusion. Therefore, for Black, K was chosen.
The alphabet B was supposed to create a misunderstanding, so letter K from Key or Key plate was taken. The color black ends with K, and the keyplate or key is usually black in color. That was the second reason it is CMYK, not CMYB. So in CMYK, K indicates the black plate, or black key.
If you want high-quality CMYK printing, the right type of ink matters a lot. This printing process uses different types of inks. It all depends on the needs and use of printing. Let's have a look at the types of inks:
Dye-based inks are made from water-soluble color pigments. They are less expensive inks, and they are mostly used in inkjet printers. These inks produce vibrant and bright colors. But they lose their color when the time passes. But you can use these images and posters indoors.
Pigment-based inks are insoluble in water. These inks are UV-resistant and waterproof. They do not fade for a long time, which makes them expensive and great for outdoor use.
The UV inks are cured with Ultraviolet light during the printing process. These inks dry quickly. They produce vibrant and high-definition prints. The printing is durable and resists scratches and fading.
We know that CMYK mixes inks to form new secondary colors. For this, it uses halftoning, which we also call screening. In this process, tiny dots of primary color inks are printed in such a pattern that seems a solid color to humans. For example, a magenta color with 20% of halftone produces a pink color. Because the tiny dots on white look lighter.
In this process, each primary color is considered binary. The binary means ON/OFF. By turning the primaries on and off, eight colors are reproduced. The colors include White, black, primary colors (Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow), and three secondary colors (red, green, and blue).
You have seen the high-quality full color images, but have you ever thought about how this printing works? CMYK is a four-step printing procedure where tiny dots of inks are layered on paper or other substrates. Here are the four steps that explain how CMYK printing works:
The first step is to prepare the design in CMYK mode. The design is prepared in some design software and tools, such as Adobe Photoshop.
Once the design is prepared, the next step is to prepare the plates in each color. This is done in the traditional offset printing.
The printer paints the ink in precise patterns on the plates once they are set up.
The last step is to wait for the inks on the substrate to dry. Once the ink is dry, the substrate is ready for coating and finish applications to enhance the final look.
Every business requires several products, such as business cards, vinyl banners, booklets, and more, to advertise them, and these products need printing as well. Explore them in printing products.
With the increase in competition, the only way to set your brand apart is with an excellent packaging strategy. The market is flooded with thousands of similar products, but some of them are bought first. It can be seen from the research 55% of consumers switch their brands due to innovative and engaging packaging.
Colors are a marketing tool and a tactic to influence the buying decisions of customers. They have the power to provoke the inner feelings and emotions, and connect with customers to drive sales.
1. The red color indicates urgency, excitement, love, and passion.
2. Green indicates sustainability, eco-friendliness, and growth.
3. Blue represents trust, reliability, and calmness
4. Yellow means energy and happiness.
5. White is the color of purity, and black is the color of luxury.
All these colors are supported by CMYK printing.
For ensuring a perfect packaging design, CMYK printing plays a vital role. It makes sure that the print looks the same as it does on the digital design. Brands need high-quality packaging that captivates customers and fosters a strong brand image. Using CMYK color models, they keep colors consistent and can check how they will look on different materials.
We recommend you CMYK color mode rather than other color palettes for the following reasons:
This full-color printing is suitable for use on various materials. You can use it for printing on cardboard, Kraft, uncoated paper, rigid paperboard, and other packaging materials.
As a brand, you need at least hundreds of custom boxes to display and package your products. The printing can be very costly. CMYK will be an affordable option for high-volume production.
With the trend of packaging, the land waste is increasing. Therefore, there is a need for eco-friendly materials and inks that do not release chemicals. The modern CMYK for printing is compatible with eco-friendly water-based and soy-based inks. So, you can also save the environment from toxic chemicals.
High-quality images and artwork on packaging are crucial to leave a lasting impression on minds. For full color printing, we recommend CMYK printing that produces vibrant and detailed packaging designs.
We at MyBoxPrinting offer you high-quality packaging with CMYK digital and offset printing. Because we recommend the best for your product packaging, that makes you stand out among thousands. Besides high-quality printing, we also check it for errors through 2D and 3D prototypes to ensure an exceptional packaging experience.
Collated printing and uncollated printing are useful printing techniques. Want to know which one is the best for you? Learn this in our comprehensive guide: What Does Collate Mean When Printing?
Want to learn how you can produce different hues, shades, and tones with CMYK? It is quite simple. The four mismatched colors in CMYK combine so that they can produce every tone and shade in the rainbow. You just have to vary the amount of ink to get the colors you want.
In CMYK, there are Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black that are the primary hues. They mix to form new colors. If you want to create the color black from these hues, just mix cyan, magenta, and yellow. Similarly, for creating a blue color, just mix magenta and cyan.
By adding black, you can produce shades of different colors. This will produce darker colors that have more depth and contrast. You can use these shades for text to make it readable. In addition, you can apply shadows on the packaging with the help of shades.
The soft colors look more visually appealing for the packaging. How can you make soft colors in the CMYK color mode? Mix a grey color with the pure color that create a tone. The tone will reduce the vibrance of colors.
We recommend that you use all the above practices if you want high-quality printed images for your packaging. In this way, you can get the colors that match your brand and represent your brand in the market.
RGB is a color model that uses light and three colors: red, green, and blue. But CMYK is a four-color model for full color printing. It ensures that the design looks the same on the digital design and print as well. The RGB and CMYK color models are different from each other in terms of colors, use, and type.
CMYK uses four primary colors to create new colors. On the other hand, RGB uses three primary colors with light to produce the new colors.
RGB uses an additive model for creating new colors. The additive model describes how light combines with red, blue, and green colors so that new colors are formed. Different colors are formed by tweaking the brightness of these colors during this process. The color black is the absence of light in RGB. Similarly, the white color is formed by mixing these three lights at the same intensity. You can have 16.7 million RGB color combinations just by mixing inks with different intensities.
On the other hand, CMYK uses a subtractive model that subtracts certain wavelengths of light from a white light source. CMYK colors look lighter compared to RGB colors. Because the RGB colors are controlled digitally on the screen.
The RGB is used for digital screens and electronics only. This color mode is not for printing. The examples where you can use RGB are web app icons, designs, social media images, videos, and profile backgrounds.
In contrast, CMYK is used for printing. So, the design in RGB is converted into CMYK before printing. This is done to ensure color accuracy on printing material. This color model is great for advertising printing. You can use them on billboards, posters, business cards, promotional swags, and product packaging.
The best file formats for red, green blue color mode are PSD, JPG, GIF, and PNG.
The best file formats that support CMYK color modes are PDFs, AI, and EPS.
Unlike CMYK, the Pantone Matching System does not use a standard color model. The PMS is used where exact matching colors are needed, like banks want exact colors for credit cards. They are best for company logos and design elements. PMS uses pre-mixed and spot colors to match exact colors.
On the other hand, CMYK uses a subtractive model and mixes inks to produce new colors. In CMYK, there are slight variations in colors. Moreover, it can replicate many Pantone colors, but not all colors perfectly match.
If you are a business that sells products, you need custom packaging with impressive printing. For this you need to choose the right printing techniques. Explore different box printing techniques for custom packaging to elevate your business in our comprehensive guide.
We know that the CMYK printing is versatile when it comes to materials, but we still need to choose the right material that suits our needs. Here are some types of papers that are compatible with CMYK printing:
What is your goal with high-quality printing? Is it packaging and promotion? If so, we recommend that you choose glossy paper that makes the printed colors look bright and clear.
If you want a professional and luxurious packaging, it is recommended to use a matte paper with full color printing. The non-shiny surface and matte appearance will make your packaging look expensive.
Do you want clean print and packaging for products where the ink does not smudge or smear? Why not try coated paper for your product packaging? The surface of coated paper looks shiny, which makes the printing look attractive.
If you are an eco-conscious brand that prefers eco-friendly materials and rustic appeal, the uncoated paper is the best. It absorbs more ink and reflects a rustic look.
The Kraft paper is a 100% recyclable paper that is made from wood pulp. It is safe for the environment and gives a natural and earthy look with its brown color. It is a perfect material for sustainable product packaging.
CMYK is the recommended color model for full color printing because it grants reliable control of colors on the packaging design. Unlike other color models, i.e., RGB and PMS, it works well for both screen and print. From dull grays to luminous greens, CMYK printing produces excellent results. It is a versatile color model that you can use on almost all materials.
In this blog, we discussed how CMYK printing works and how it can impact your packaging design. Also, we discussed why it is used as a standard color model for printing. When you work with commercial printers, you are asked to submit the files in CMYK format because it is a standard printing practice. We, as a packaging partner, recommend CMYK Cyan magenta printing that brings life to your packaging. It ensures attractive packaging with effective color control.
Are you looking for high-quality product packaging with high-quality images, artwork, and designs? No need to go somewhere else because you are on the right page. MyBoxPrinting offers you custom boxes and packaging with high-quality digital and offset printing. We offer you printing in CMYK and PMS color schemes that produce high-quality output. In addition, we also provide free design support and free shipping to your doorstep all over the USA.
CMYK is a four-color format where Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are used as primary colors. It mixes inks of these primary colors at different intensities to form new secondary colors.
There are four primary colors in the CMYK. The colors are Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. These four colors combine in different ratios to form new colors.
The color value of cyan will be different. For Cyan, it will be 100%. But for other colors, it will be 0%.
The color values of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are different in CMYK color schemes. If you want magenta color, its value will be 100%. The values for cyan, yellow, and black will be 0%.
RGB or CMYK are good color schemes, but they depend on where they will be used. RGB is great for electronics and screen display. But when it comes to printing, CMYK is recommended.
Yes, it is. Cyan is a primary color both in CMY and CMYK color schemes.
