The four color processes is usually abbreviated as CMYK. This means c-cyan, m-magenta, y-yellow and k-key. The key is black in most cases. Yellow, magenta and cyan are all subtractive primaries. Each of this usually represents RGB which are additive primaries. The subtraction of an additive primary is highly necessary and the place from which it is subtracted is white light.
Yellow, cyan and magenta’s secondary colors are used for reproduction of color. This should go a long way to aiding reproduction of originals but in real life, it does not happen. There are limitations related to ink that causes the colors that tend to be darker to appear muddied. To improve the contrast and shadow, a separation usually by a black color has to be created. This results to a highly reasonable reproduction but not as good as the original.
When we talk about color printing, we tend to think that the term involves use of many colors. However, the process can actually involve one color only. Multiple colors may also be applied if they do not represent primary colors.
When we use very specific or limited colors together with the primary ones, the process is called Spot Color printing. Printing presses in most cases are able to use the spot inks as well as the inks that are specific. Application of this is where materials are required to be of the highest quality. Examples are photographs, books, and brochures.
There are some graphic designs which also require spot colors. Spot colors may include metallic and pantone inks. Varnish can be used to varnish and enhance the appearance of a printed piece.
The best thing about the process is the fact that high quality productions are achieved which greatly elevates the image of the people using it.
Web offset is usually where rolls are supplied. The printing press is then fed with the paper rolls. There are well over 20,000 impressions associated with this. The greatest application of this is in printing magazines, newspaper, newspaper ads/inserts, books as well as catalogues. The method can be used for mass production.
There are two types of web offset. The first one is cold set and the other heat set. Cold offset is able to dry when absorbed while the heat off set has to use lamps for drying purposes. The heatset can use coated or uncoated paper while coldest can only use uncoated paper materials. Some of the coldsets can also use lamps for drying purposes especially when uv-curing inks are applied.