COLOR
as it is used in sign-making
We use a number of
different
Output Devices,
each one with its own abilities and limitations in
reproducing color.
Also, there are a number of different ways of
Specifying Color
in the graphics industry.
Our Output
Devices:
Wide-Format
Digital Printing
60" Graphtec
SIGNJET Pro JX 2150
This prints CMYK ink
to a white material, using inkjet technology. It does
not use any spot color inks.
Therefore, there is a
small percentage of PANTONE® and RGB colors it cannot
reproduce. Also, it does not produce metallic, static
cling, reflective, brushed metal, T-shirt transfer,
mirror, holographic, 24K gold leaf, fluorescent,
plate-makers' film or glow-in-the-dark such as is
possible with graphics cut from these specialty vinyl
films.
The depth and
brilliance of the color it produces is affected by which
kind of material we print on, and by whether or not the
print is laminated.
For these reasons, we
will approximate the target colors as well as is
reasonably possible, but we cannot promise an exact
color match.
Thermal
Digital Printing
12" Gerber EDGE
This prints CMYK,
spot colors* (including white), transparent colors,
metallic colors and petroleum-resistant overcoats to
standard sign-makers' vinyl, using a high-temperature
head to fuse color from a color ribbon to the vinyl.
Further, the vinyl
receiving the print can be any color, including
metallic, clear, static cling, reflective, brushed
metal, T-shirt transfer, magnetic sheet, mirror,
holographic, perforated window film, fluorescent,
pre-printed vinyl, plate-makers' film or
glow-in-the-dark.
The resulting prints
are then fed through the cutter to yield the final 'die
cut' decals.
No lamination is
needed, unless the decals are subjected to gasoline or
abrasion.
*Spot colors
available for this device are specific to the sign
industry and do not necessarily correspond with PANTONE®
colors.
Cut Vinyl
Graphics
13" Gerber HS15
Plus
48" Gerber Odyssey
These cutters do not
print, but cut vinyl film according to vector paths send
to the cutter.
Many colors and kinds
of vinyl can be used, such as opaque and translucent
spot colors*, metallic, static cling, reflective,
brushed metal, mirror, holographic, 24K gold leaf,
fluorescent, pre-printed vinyl, ruby-lith or
glow-in-the-dark.
*Spot colors
available for this device are specific to the sign
industry and do not necessarily correspond with PANTONE®
colors.
Out-Sourced
Graphics
Silk-Screen
Printing
Embroidery
Awnings
Large-Format
Exterior Prints
Each of these kinds
of output have their own abilities and limitations in
reproducing color. Further, they will also vary by
vendor.
We
will be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.
Specifying
Color:
PANTONE®
PANTONE colors are a popular way to specify color, since
they eliminate guesswork.
They are designed for use in the offset printing
industry, as well as some other kinds of spot color
printing.
However, almost none of the vinyl films, color foils or
inkjet inks available for the sign-making industry are
PANTONE colors.
Depending on the output device, we can approximate the
color you specify.
CMYK
All of our printing devices use, or are capable of
using, CMYK color.
Usually used for reproducing photographic elements in a
design, and sometimes for approximating spot colors.
RGB
Not used in output devices.
Thermal
Colors (Gerber EDGE)
These are spot colors*, specific to the Gerber EDGE. It
is a reliable and exact way of specifying color.
Also, there are specialty colors, only available with
thermal printing, such as CMYK, opaque white,
transparent colors, metallic colors and
petroleum-resistant overcoats.
*Spot colors available for this device do not
necessarily correspond with PANTONE® colors.
Vinyl Colors
These are spot colors, specific to each vinyl
manufacturer. It is a reliable and exact way of
specifying color.
Also, there are specialty colors, only available with
cut vinyl graphics, such as translucent spot colors,
metallic, static cling, reflective, brushed metal,
mirror, holographic, 24K gold leaf, fluorescent,
pre-printed vinyl, ruby-lith or glow-in-the-dark.
