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Home | Help and Resources | Color Requirements

Color Requirements


Full Color Process Printing:

  1. We recommend a minimum resolution of 300 dpi for any Photoshop files or placed (raster) image for best quality.
  2. Every element of the file must be colored with process CMYK colors (no RGB, indexed color, etc.).
  3. If RGB or other non-CMYK colors are used in your files, the necessary conversion to CMYK will change the appearance of the colors when we print, sometimes dramatically.
  4. Pantone® colors - While we are often able to closely reproduce a spot PMS® ink using full color process, PMS® spot colors and process colors are produced using different methods. Therefore, colors produced in full color will differ from Pantone® spot colors, sometimes significantly. Please refer to a Solid to Process Color Imaging Guide for color conversions.
  5. Do not modify Pantone® colors from their original values. If your order is full color, any modified Pantone® colors MUST be processed out.

Printing Black vs. Black for Full Color Orders:

In order to achieve the best possible results for your order, it is important to understand when to use Printing Black and when to use 100% Black.
Printing Black is a build of CMYK inks that allow ink to appear richer and more vibrant. Using 100% Black gives the appearance of a muted black tone. Follow the guidelines below for creating the look you desire.
Full Color Flat - Use Printing Black (C80%, M80%, Y80% K95%) instead of 100% Black when in registration with other colors, in areas with heavy ink coverage and for bold type or lines that are thicker than 2 1/2 points. Full Color Raised BC - Always use the CMYK percentages above for "Printing Black" regardless of registration or coverage. Full Color Raised LH or ENV - Use Printing Black (C80%, M80%, Y80% K95%) instead of 100% Black when in registration with other colors, in areas with heavy ink coverage and for bold type or lines that are thicker than 2 1/2 points.

Full Color Raised/Thermography Printing

Light skin tones, light colors, and low screen percentages will have a negative impact on the raised appearance of your product. For best raised printing results, we recommend that the "Total Area Coverage" be at 150% or higher. Total Area Coverage (TAC) is the total of the CMYK value of a color. For example, a card using a light blue color with a CMYK mix of 89, 10, 0, 0 has a TAC of 99%. This color won’t have a good raise as there is not enough ink coverage to hold thermography powder

Spot Color Printing:

  1. Spot orders should be colored using the correct spot color swatch. You can create your own spot swatch or you can download & install our Navitor Swatches library listed below.
  2. For Pantone Matching System® (PMS®) colors, it is best to use the PANTONE solid uncoated library that is already loaded within the program.
  3. We recommend a minimum resolution of 300 dpi for any Photoshop file or placed (raster) image for best quality. Black & White Bitmap Image Mode should be used unless screens are present, Grayscale Image Mode should be used if screens are present.
  4. View the PDF for Creating Print Ready Files for Spot Printing.
If you have concerns about your art file meeting the requirements, please contact us at 1-866-628-6868.


Swatch Library File

The Swatch Library File below can be installed on equipment that is running any Adobe product. This will give you access to all of the Navitor Colors and their mix settings to ensure that we print exactly what you create. The instruction file will walk you through the process of setting up the file.
  Swatch Library Installation Instructions
   Stationery Swatch Library File
   Presentation Folders Swatch Library File



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