What is the difference between CMYK screen printing and spot color screen printing ?
There are two types of the screen printing heat transfer logo technique when we made the bulk productions of heat transfer logos.
1:SPOT COLOUR SCREEN PRINTING
The most regular screen printing technique is spot colour screen printing. Spot colour screen printing uses the specific colour ink by printing it through the stencil of the silk mesh. This technique produces a vibrant solid spot of colour. It is much simpler and faster to use as compared to other screen printing methods. It can be an excellent option for printing the special color, like pantone color and some silver, gold colors.
2: CMYK (4-COLOR PRINTING)
This is the more complex than the spot color screen printing for silk printing mould open. It involves the four basic colours – cyan, magenta, yellow and black.There are value of the each colors, like the color below with CMYK value. With following these values, the colors will be as close as per the design file. These four colours are combined to produce the required colour tones. It can be done manually but preferably should be done automatically for best results.
The difference between CMYK screen printing and spot color screen printing lies in their mould opening, color application methods, ink types, and suitability for different designs.
Here's a structured breakdown:
1. Opening Silk Mould Creation Method:
- CMYK (Process Color):
Uses four translucent inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) layered to create a spectrum of colors through subtractive mixing. Ideal for photorealistic or gradient-rich designs with digital explore the designs. No limited for the gang sheeting of the printing film.
Example: Printing a sunset photo with blended oranges and purples.
- Spot Color:
Employs pre-mixed, opaque inks (e.g., Pantone-matched) applied individually, max color quantity to be 5 different colors. . Each color uses a separate screen, ideal for solid, bold designs and some special color like florescent color
Example: A corporate logo with specific brand colors in pantone.
2. Ink Characteristics:
- CMYK: Requires semi-transparent inks for color blending. There is a white underbase to adding a screen.
- Spot Color: Uses opaque inks, often vibrant and precise, suitable for metallics or neon shades.
3. Screen and Cost Efficiency:
- CMYK: Fixed 4–5 screens (including underbase), cost-effective for complex, multi-colored designs.
- Spot Color: One screen per color; economical for designs with ≤2 colors but costly for many colors.
4. Design Suitability:
- CMYK: Best for detailed, full-color artwork (e.g., photographs) but less vibrant on dark fabrics. s
- Spot Color: Optimal for solid colors, sharp lines, and exact color matching.
5. Color Accuracy and Registration:
CMYK: Prone to registration issues (misaligned screens) and limited in reproducing bright/neon hues.
Spot Color: Delivers precise, consistent colors without blending; easier registration. Colors will come out more precisely.
So Choose CMYK for detailed, full-color artwork. Opt for Spot Color for bold, brand-specific, or metallic/neon shades.