Forum Topic: Creativestem Forum - Design for Print - Pantone Books

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Pantone Books - Yes or No

Last post 15 May 2008 by

troy

Page 1 of 1

troy

Hay I was just wondering as I'm quite young in this industry if pantone books are an essential tool in the office for designers? Because I've used them before back at TAFE but I was thinking about getting a set in the office.

I was thinking about getting the Pantone - Essentials six-guide set.

Reply 13 May 2008

carly

I guess, if you're doing a lot of work with pms colours then it would be handy. I wouldn't consider it a necessity though. You'd perhaps get better colour representation aside from your screen, but don't count on them to be totally accurate when you go and print. Even though they are pantone, they are still affected the same way as cmyk inks, through different paper stocks, weather changes...machines..etc.

Quote 14 May 2008

troy

wow really I didn't know that weather changes and all the other things would effect the colour for print.

So what would you say is the best way to be able to match my colours from screen to print?

Because right now I'm just getting proofs before they go to print by the printers and I'm wondering if there is a faster way.

Quote 14 May 2008

carly

To be honest, there is no sure fire way to guarantee accurate colour representation in printing...you can only try...and hope for the best. heh.

In terms of weather, printing houses have to be quite stringent with their air temperature, humidity..etc, since there is water in the inks, the paper and the plates if humidity changes the water is going to evaporate differently which has an adverse effect on the printing.

Which printers do you print with now? Mostly offset or digital?

Since you're in Australia, I'd recommend visiting Worldwide Printing. They are by far the best offset printers in Australia. Most of their products they print at 300lpi while most other printers only print at 175lpi (you can tell the difference when you can see the printing dots).

Aside from this, they also have cmyk colour charts which have hundreds of colours printed on their 5 or 6 main stocks so you can see how the same colour will look on different stocks. It has cmyk percentages so you can input directly into your artwork, and a lot of them are derived from pms colours so you can see exactly cmyk equivalent of a pms (you'll need to ask them for copies of their pms overlay sheets though). These books I think are an absolute lifesaver and much handier than pms books, you can buy them for around $100 or cheaper if they have deals on. BUT....since they are created by Worldwide they're obviously only effective if you're printing is done with them also, but if you're using colours from within the books they will guarantee a match within 5% (not very noticeable difference) and if you're not happy with it they'll reprint it.

It really depends what you're printing, the stock, pms or cmyk etc as to what is the best way to go about things in colour matching...a lot of the time you just have to guess and hope for the best. But definitely go visit a Worldwide store if you never have been to one before, they are very very helpful, and once you're dealing with a good printer it will make your printing a hell of a lot easier.

Quote 15 May 2008

troy

Thats so strange I guess the more I print the better ill get at matching colours.

But ya right now I'm printing with a company called IBS Cards they are really good with free delivery and great prices. Also they call me up if there are any problems with colours.

But I've mainly just been asking for work because I'd like to match the colours as best as possible but the company gets all printing done in china so its a little hard to get proofs before hand.

Quote 15 May 2008

troy

But I mainly get my freelance printed at IBS Cards.

Quote 15 May 2008

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