Printing spot colors

Accompanying colors

Spot colors, also known as spot colors, describe the printing colors used in addition to the CMYK color space. These spot colors make it possible to print colors outside the four-color process. From saturated Pantone colors to shimmering silver prints and delicate pastels – at labelletiquette.fr, we can simulate Pantone colors at low cost using digital printing. We’ll tell you how it works and what your options are.

Pantone special colors

Pantone special colors are an ideal marketing tool for giving your own brand an individual design feature, such as a logo or lettering in a Pantone color. There are almost 5000 different Pantone colors, divided into two color systems:

• Pantone Plus Series for the graphics, printing and packaging industries
• Pantone Fashion, Home & Interiors for product design

Pantone special color printing at labelletiquette.fr :

At labelletiquette.fr, we use digital printing. By default, we print using the four-color process (CMYK), composed of the four colors cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black). When printing Pantone colors, there are basically two possibilities: simulation and printing with the original color.

The four-color model (CMYK) simulates Pantone colors. However, specific Pantone shades are not 100% reproducible. To simulate colors more accurately, we supplement the CMYK model with other colors. The so-called 7-color model is called extended color space and consists of CMYK + OVG: in addition to cyan, magenta, yellow and key, we add orange, violet or green (OVG). This makes it possible to simulate and meet certain Pantone colors more precisely.

During the printing process, the color is adjusted and matched as closely as possible to the original tone. However, we cannot guarantee a 100% match with the original Pantone shade. For a 100% match, you need to print in the original Pantone tone, which is possible at labelletiquette.fr for orders over 10,000 pieces – depending on material, size and format, of course. However, Pantone color printing involves additional costs. Contact us for a personalized quotation.

NB: In order to produce your order as quickly as possible, please convert special colors (if they are to be simulated and not printed in the original) to CMYK in the print file. Please inform our customer service department by e-mail at info@labelletiquette.fr that the color is to be simulated.

Other special colors

In addition to special Pantone and pastel colors, labelletiquette.fr also offers silver printing, opaque white printing and even fluorescent colors.

Digital printing in silver

In silver printing, the CMYK color model is supplemented by ElectroInk silver, a special silver color. To achieve ideal colorimetric results, this ElectroInk silver is printed twice (200%). The desired color is then printed in CMYK or CMYK+OVG. This makes it possible to create almost any desired color as a metallic tone. Another tip on materials selection: Due to its surface structure, silver printing is only possible on smooth materials. This is the only way to achieve the desired metallic effects. We advise against the use of structured natural papers, as the metallic effect will be almost entirely lost.

Fluorescent colors / Invisible ink

By using fluorescent inks (Invisible Ink) to attract attention, you create a very special effect that is not visible at first glance. Only in combination with black light does the label attract attention: the special UV inks reflect black light thanks to their chemical composition, and begin to glow. Invisible Ink is available in fluorescent yellow and blue. Fluorescent inks are particularly used for trendy beverages such as beer, mixed drinks or spirits, to stand out in bars and nightclubs.

Printing with opaque white

The last special color variant we present is printing with opaque white. This is used when non-white materials are being printed, such as transparent or metallic materials, or natural papers that are not quite white, such as grass paper. Elements that are to be white afterwards should then be created with opaque white.

Important: This white color layer must be named HPI-White so that the printing machine recognizes it correctly. Our tutorials on the correct application of opaque white on metallic and transparent materials can also help you.

Almost anything is possible!

Additional information for the simulation: In principle, many of the above-mentioned combinations are possible, i.e. you can combine CMYK with one of the OVG colors plus white, silver or a fluorescent color. There are few limits to your creativity! We’ll be happy to advise you on the realization of your ideas and wishes, and to help you make your label a very special eye-catcher by printing special colors!