Most of our boxes and cartons are printed on our Heidelberg XL106 press using four colour process also known as cmyk printing.
CMYK printing, also known as four-colour process printing, is a fundamental technique used in the printing industry to reproduce a wide range of colours and hues. The acronym CMYK stands for the four ink colors utilised in this method: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These four primary colours are combined in varying amounts to create the full spectrum of colours that can be printed on a physical medium, such as paper or fabric.
The CMYK printing process works by layering these four ink colours on top of each other in microscopic dots that the human eye blends together to perceive the desired colour. Cyan, magenta, and yellow serve as the base, with the black (K) ink added to provide depth, contrast, and rich, saturated tones. Through the precise combination and placement of these four ink colours, printers are able to recreate the millions of colours found in photographs, illustrations, and other complex imagery.
This subtractive colour model is the industry standard for commercial printing applications, as it allows for cost-effective and high-quality reproduction of colour content. Unlike the additive RGB colour model used in digital screens, CMYK printing starts with a white base (the paper or material) and then builds up layers of coloured inks to produce the desired hues. This process ensures consistent, accurate colour matching across a wide variety of printed materials, from magazines and brochures to product packaging and signage. Understanding the CMYK printing technique is essential for designers, photographers, and printing professionals to achieve their desired visual outcomes.
