When to Use Process Colors CMYK

Use process colors when your support uses:

  • full-color photographs
  • complex multi-color graphics
  • more than 2 spot colors
    Process color printing can be less expensive than using 3 or more spot colors.

When to Use Spot Colors PMS

If your project has one of these specifications:

  • no full-color photographs and uses only one or 2 colors
  • a large surface, such as a poster
  • needs a color that cannot be accurately reproduced with CMYK inks, such as precise color matching of a brand color
  • needs more vibrant colors or more exact color matching than what CMYK inks produce
  • needs consistency on all the supports
  • requires special effects such as metallic or fluorescent spot inks.