Printing process explanation guide

Western Press has been in operation since 1979. During this time we have seen growth of many forms of printing, from conventional to digital. Since we use a number of different printing methods we wanted to qive a quick explanation of each along explain how printing colors are created. Feel free to call if you have any questions. Below is a quick explanation of both inks and printing styles and how they interact. We wanted to explain how those systems work and how the processes might be used for your project. Feel free to call if you have any questions. Feel free to call if you have any questions.

Ink Colors

Ink colors are created in a number of different ways. We will explain these below to help you understand how each printing method uses ink or toner to create color.

Pantone Spot Colors (PMS Colors)

Spot color inks are individual mixed ink colors used for both letterpress and spot color printing. These colors are created by mixing multiplebase mixing componets together following a formula to create a single printing ink. Spot colors are best viewed by looking at a swatch book. The same mixing formula is used for printing on coated stocks or uncoated stocks. Since the same ink may look different on a coated stock verses an uncoated stock it is best to view the color with the proper swatch book. Coated swatch books have C behind the the PMS code ( PMS300C) shows a blue ink on coated stock. Uncoated swatch books have U behind the the PMS code ( PMS300U) shows a blue ink on uncoated stock. If you are designing artwork you want to also be sure you using the Pantone plugin swatch for the type of paper you plan to print on. Since inks are not opaque some color changes may occur due to the interaction with a color paper being used. Pantone spot color inks contain pigments and minerals that cannot be simulated. For this reason, converting pantone color to process printing may not produce color matching accurate results.

Process Full Color Inks

Process full color printing is done by converting any color to CYMK. CYMK means Cyan, Yellow, Mangenta, Black. The four colors are laid down in an overlapping pattern at different percent ratios to create a color. When creating artwork files it is important to use a proper swatch for the type of paper you will be printing on. If you are creating a full color project by converting a Pantone spot color, use Pantone Color Bridge swatches instead for closer color match. When converting color for viewing your computer monitor may not simulate true colors. Please keep that in mind.

Digital Full Color Printing

Digital printing is done by fusing toner particles or encapsulated toner onto the paper. Digital full color printing is done by converting any color to CYMK. CYMK means Cyan, Yellow, Mangenta, Black. The four color are laid down in different percent ratios to create a color. When creating artwork files it is important to use a proper swatch for the type of paper you will be printing on.

Printing Methods

We offer a number of different printing methods. Each style of printing offers it's own unique attributes to any project.

Letterpress Printing

Letterpress printing has been around for over 500 hundreds years. Over the years letterpress was used for the primary means of printing. We use a 1970's Heidleberg Windmil. In the eartly 1930's offset printing began to replace letterpess printing. Around the middle of the 1990's letterpress printing began to transform as you know it today with a deep tactile impression. No offset presses that can create the unique style of printing a letterpress can. The letterpress can print on papers much heavier than any offset press can, which is great for invitaions, business cards, hang tags, candle dust covers and more. At times, we use the Heidleberg letterpress much like a modern day printing press. The Heidelberg can print on heavier stocks with excellent quality and close registration. We combine a modern plating system with the tactile impression that is created when the letterpress plate make contact with the paper. We print using the uncoated Pantone Spot Color ink and each color is printed is printed one at a time. Since the Heidelberg press gives us excellent impression control and regisration we also use it for Die Cutting, Hot Foil Stamping, Embossing and Debossing

Letterpress Hot Foil, Diecutting and Embossing

We use the Heidelberg Windmill letterpress for Die Cutting, Hot Foil Stamping, Embossing and Debossing. The press can print on heavier stocks with excellent quality and close registration. We combine a modern plating system using high quality copper printing plates for high quality foil stamping. Our die cutting dies are laser cut with a high degree of accuracy. We can print using the uncoated Pantone Spot Color and then add hot foil stamping. After completion of the printing the same machine can be used to die cut the finished project. The Heidelberg letterpress gives us excellent impression control and registration to create almost any project

Pantone Spot Color Offset Printing

We offer offset printing for one and two color projects on a Ryobi printing press. Offset printing uses Pantone Spot Ink colors to create the printed image. This process works well with almost any paper type from copy paper up to most light to medium weight card stocks. We can print carbonless forms, note pads, flyers, order forms, envelopes, postcard, business cards, hang tags and much more. Feel free to ask how this can be used for your next project.

Process Full Color Lithography

We offer full color printing offset printing. All projects are converted to CYMK and combo run on large format automated equipment with other projects of similar style. We use this process to help control your final cost. We offer a limited selection of paper stocks to fit most printing printing projects.

Digital Full Color Printing

We offer digital full color printing. All projects are converted to CYMK and custom run on digital printing equipment. We have access to a number of paper stocks to fit most printing projects.

OUR STUDIO CONTACT INFO

2650 Walnut Avenue, Suite T, Tustin CA 92780

Phone (714) 730-0356

email: scott@westernpress.net