Process printing is a cheap, fast, and efficient printing technique that produces stunning images in mass production. Images are separated into four color components and printed on separate plates, which are superimposed to create a full-color image. Printers learn process printing through apprenticeships.
Process printing is a printing technique widely used around the world. The name is actually an abbreviation of four-color printing process, a reference to the way images are prepared for printing. Process printing was developed in the early twentieth century alongside offset printing and surpassed other printing methods such as letterpress in the 1950s in popularity. Process printing is cheap, fast and efficient, and produces stunning images in mass production.
Most of the printed objects that we interact with on a daily basis are produced using the printing process technique. Glossy magazines, mailers, brochures, and other color printing projects are all produced using this method. Sometimes process color printing is combined with spot color printing, where inks are combined to create a specific color. Spot color is required for metallic inks and specialty color projects.
To prepare an image for process printing, it is separated into four color components: cyan, magenta, yellow, and key, also called black. Color separation is known as color screening and is usually done digitally. A separate printing plate will be made for each color. Each plate is created as a halftone, which means the color is separated into a series of small dots. In areas where the color is scattered, the dots will be small and well spaced. In areas of color density, the dots will be larger and may not have any space between them.
Each plate is printed separately and superimposed on the previously printed ink. When all four plates have been printed, the result is a color image. The tiny dots on each individual plate will come together to create a full color image, although they can still be seen with the aid of a magnifying glass. If the plates are not aligned correctly during the printing process, the result is an incorrect, blurry and illegible image.
Process printing is an excellent tool, enabling printers to produce color images very efficiently. Most printers learn process printing through apprenticeships, which allows them to work under an experienced printer for several years while learning about all stages of the process. Many small print shops do everything in-house, from image preparation to platemaking and printing. Other printing companies may outsource color separation and platemaking to a converter.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
