Print design is my passion and of course I will guide you through the complexities. When delving into the realm of packaging design, understanding the intricacies of the print process is really important. This is not just for print quality but also for cost efficiency. Two primary colour systems dominate this landscape: CMYK and Pantone.
CMYK, standing for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black), operates on a subtractive colour model blending these four colours to produce a wide spectrum of hues. This process is ideal for full-colour printing and most commonly used in high-volume production and where cost efficiency is crucial.
However, when precise colour matching is really important, or the use of vibrant, bright or flurecent colours hues, Pantone colours reign supreme. Pantone, an industry top colour matching system, offers a vast array of standardised colours, each assigned a unique code for easy reference. Unlike CMYK, which mixes colours during the printing process, Pantone colours are pre-mixed inks, ensuring consistency across various print runs and substrates.
While CMYK offers versatility and cost-effectiveness, Pantone provides unmatched colour accuracy, making it indispensable for brands striving for precise or stand-out colours on their packaging. Understanding the nuances of both CMYK and Pantone is really important to design packaging that not only catches the eye but also faithfully represents the brand's identity.