Color Matching on Colored Substrates

Provided by Nazdar Ink Technologies

Technical Service Group for Printing United

Presented by Bruce Ridge

Printing spot colors usually means Pantone colors.

For Screen, Pad, and Ink Jet Printers, this can be a real challenge when the substrate isn’t white paper.

This presentation will discuss the best ways to simulate a color that cannot be matched and present a simple way to rate color opacity to choose the best components to match

a color that will print on a colored substrate.

Color Matching on Colored Substrates

Plastics Decorating Magazine

• Plastics Decorating Magazine article April 2019

• “Simulating Pantone Colors on Colored Substrates”

• Good fundamental color information

• New information for everyone.

Opacity

The term opacity refers to the extent to which a printed ink will permit or prevent the transmission of light through it. Opaque pigments do not allow light to pass through them,

instead reflect it back, and are used to print solid colors.

Color Matching Definitions

Translucent

The description of a layer or surface that allows for the passage of light through it, but in a highly diffuse manner

such that objects cannot be clearly seen or read through it.

Color Matching Definitions

Transparent

The descriptive of a material that allows light to pass through it relatively unimpeded. The opposite of an opaque

substance.

Transparent pigments allow various amounts of light to pass through them revealing the background printing or

substrate.

Color Matching Definitions

The Pantone Matching System

• The Pantone Matching System

• Pantone Graphics System and the FHI System.

• Printers use the Pantone Graphics System.

• Pantone books are offset litho inks on white paper

Know Your Pantone Book

• Pantone colors are not really solid

• Similar to pad printing, but not screen or ink jet printing

• The primary value is color communication

Know Your Pantone Book

• Pantone digital standards 2010

• These numbers are the current way to specify color from Pantone

• L*a*b* color is process independent

Facing the Facts

• Once you deviate you aren’t really matching

• You are simulating a color

• Let’s not focus on a match

• Let’s focus on good looking color

Match

A person or thing that is equal to or as good as another. A thing that is exactly like another thing.

Simulation

Having characteristics in common: strictly comparable. Alike in substance or essentials, not differing in shape but only in size or

position.

Simulating a Spot Color

The Rules of Color Still Apply

• Lighting affects the appearance of color

• The surrounding color influences color

• Use isolators to approve color

• Test print similar art work

• Color test color approvers

• Surface differences affect color

Simulating Spot Colors as a Build

• Spot colors can be created as a CMYK build

• The CMYK build of a spot color has limitations

• The Pantone Bridge guide is the best book for this printing

• This is a simulation not a match

The Pantone Bridge guide is the best book for this printing

Building a Spot Color Simulation

• The CMYK spot color build simulation is the primary option for ink jet printing

• CMYK colors filter light of a white background.

• This limits designs for small type and lines.

Cyan

Building a Spot Color Simulation

• A neutral and bright white creates the best CMYK spot colors

• Dense CMYK inks do not make more opaque spot colors

• 60% of Pantone spot colors can be achieved with CMYK inks

Building a Spot Color Simulation

• CMYK in detail

• Frosted surface appears to be white

• No recognition colors

Mixing a Spot Color Simulation

• Mixed color inks are the most accurate way to print a spot color

• A large selection of standard and special colors

• A large selection of pigments and additives

Highly Pigmented Inks

• Highly pigmented inks are available

• Higher cost saves time in production

• Increased impact

Highly Density Inks

• Standard high-density colors

• Additives to diffuse the light

• Common in solvent and water-based inks

• UV inks opacity is limited

Choosing the Right Inks

• Determine your most opaque ink components

• Assign an opacity value

• Mix up your colors with the most-opaque components

Choosing the Right Inks

• Color isolators make it much easier to see slight differences in color

• Rate the delta or difference on a 1 – 20 scale

• Chart or graph the colors by this delta O number.

0.1 1 12 2 2 3

68 8 8

10 10 10 11 11

14 14

16 1617 18

1920

2224

28 29

33

37

53

75

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

ADE Ink SeriesOpacity Measured in ΔO When Printed on White vs Black Substrate

Printing Techniques for Spot Colors

• Techniques used to increase ink deposit increase production time

• A wet on wet double hit increased deposit by 30% to 50%.

• A wet on dry double hit simulates an ink with 2x the pigment.

Printing Techniques for Spot Colors

• A color on white will not be the same on black

• This sample has four hits of color 2 wet on wet, dried, then 2 wet on wet.

• The final color does not match the Pantone color, but the color is a strong blue on a black substrate

Printing Techniques for Spot Colors

• Techniques used to increase ink deposit increase production time

• A wet on wet double hit increased deposit by 30% to 50%.

• A wet on dry double hit simulates an ink with 2x the pigment.

Summary

• Special products and techniques create special results

• Work with your suppliers to meet your needs

• Attend shows and webinars for ideas to improve

In Appreciation

• We have a set of the ROY prints for you on clear and black plastic

• Limited amount available

• Nazdar Source One Booth

• Password Roy Kit Booth 8627