Emma Davis Print Production Specialist at 4OVER4.COM
Emma is our prepress and print production voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.
Question
What color format do you require for custom PMS colors?
Answer
4OVER4 runs every job through a CMYK press, so a Pantone (PMS) target has to be built with the CMYK values that reproduce that color as closely as the process allows. Online orders have no spot-ink option, so the color lives in your file as a CMYK build; a true PMS ink is only possible on a custom-quoted job.
- Set your document color mode to CMYK before you design, not after.
- Look up the CMYK build for your Pantone color in a current Pantone bridge guide or your design app's swatch library.
- Apply those CMYK values to fills, text, and vector art so nothing stays tagged as spot or RGB.
- Remember CMYK cannot reproduce every Pantone shade exactly, especially bright oranges, greens, and metallics.
- If you are unsure how to convert a specific color, contact support with the PMS number and they will point you to the closest CMYK build.
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