---
type: faq
title: "How do color printing options like 4/0 and 4/4 affect pricing?"
description: "Full-color CMYK printing is priced by how many sides print, not by color count, so moving from 4/0 to 4/4 adds cost through more ink and another pass."
resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/what-color-printing-options-are-available-and-how-do-they-affect-pricing
tags: ["Printing Terms Glossary", "faq"]
generated:
  by: "process:4over4-mapp-build"
  at: 2026-10-20T21:01:19.542Z
timestamp: 2026-10-20T21:01:19.542Z
sources:
  - resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/what-color-printing-options-are-available-and-how-do-they-affect-pricing
    title: "How do color printing options like 4/0 and 4/4 affect pricing?"
status: stable
---

# How do color printing options like 4/0 and 4/4 affect pricing?

Full-color printing uses the CMYK process (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), which reproduces the full spectrum of colors in most artwork. What actually changes the price is not the number of colors but how many sides you print. Printers describe this with a two-number shorthand, front over back: Notation Meaning 4/0 Full color on the front, nothing on the back 4/1 Full color front, single ink (often black) on the back 4/4 Full color on both sides The price difference reflects the printing done on each side, not an extra charge per color. Printing the back, going from 4/0 to 4/4, adds cost because it is more ink and another pass.

Full-color CMYK printing is priced by how many sides print, not by color count, so moving from 4/0 to 4/4 adds cost through more ink and another pass.

| Notation | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| 4/0 | Full color on the front, nothing on the back |
| 4/1 | Full color front, single ink (often black) on the back |
| 4/4 | Full color on both sides |

- The price difference reflects the printing done on each side, not an extra charge per color.
- Printing the back, going from 4/0 to 4/4, adds cost because it is more ink and another pass.

[Order Standard Business Cards](https://www.4over4.com/product/standard-business-cards)

## Related questions

- [What do printing color codes like 4/0, 4/4 and 1/0 mean?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/what-color-options-are-available-for-printing-like-4-0-4-4-1-0)
- [What is the difference between 4/0 and other color printing options?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/what-is-the-difference-between-4-0-and-other-color-printing-options)
- [If my file has black ink and faded grey on the back, does it need black only or full color printing?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/if-my-file-has-black-ink-and-faded-grey-colors-on-the-back-should-i-select-black)
- [What file format and color mode should I use for printing?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/what-file-format-and-color-mode-should-i-use-for-printing)
- [Can color saturation be adjusted during production?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/can-color-saturation-be-adjusted-during-production)
- [How accurate is the color reproduction for photography prints and postcards?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/how-accurate-is-the-color-reproduction-for-photography-prints-and-postcards)