Colour application
The total colour application is derived from the total of the individual colour channels.
Maximum colour application
The maximum colour application specifies the total of the individual colour channels which can be applied maximally depending on production time and paper/print substrate.
Too much colour application in printing leads to the colour smudging the next sheet due to the increased drying time.
We generally recommend complying with a maximum colour application of 300 % for normal production times.
Same-day and express orders should not exceed a maximum colour application of 260 %. Otherwise, the shorter drying time may lead to smudging onto the next sheet of printed material.
Example:
Dark green area with the composition 100 % Cyan, 40 % Magenta, 100 % Yellow and 60 % Key
Colour application = 100 % C + 40 % M + 100 % Y + 60 % K = 300 %
Minimum colour application
Too little colour application in printing leads to the colour being not or nearly not recognisable depending on the print process and print substrate. We therefore recommend a minimum colour application of approx. 3 to 5 % per colour channel; the colour can also be composed of one single colour channel (e.g. 5 % Cyan, 0 % Magenta, 0 % Yellow, 0 % Key).
Example:
Pink area with the composition 5 % Cyan, 5 % Magenta, 0 % Yellow and 0 % Key
Colour application = 5 % C + 5 % M + 0 % Y + 0 % K = 10 %
