Why can’t a Digital Press print an exact match for Pantone colors?
While digital presses have improved significantly in recent years, they still face certain limitations that make it difficult to achieve an exact match for Pantone colors. Here are some of the reasons why:
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Pantone colors are printed using specific ink formulas, which are proprietary to Pantone. Digital presses use a combination of process colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black - CMYK) to create a wide range of colors. While some digital presses have additional ink colors, such as Orange, Green, and Violet (OGV) or Light Cyan and Light Magenta (LC/LM), they do not have the exact ink formulations that Pantone colors use.
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Pantone colors are also printed on specific types of paper, which can impact the color and appearance of the printed ink. Digital presses use different types of paper and ink combinations, which can lead to variation in color.
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Digital presses use a subtractive color process, which means that colors are created by removing certain wavelengths of light. Pantone colors, on the other hand, are created using an additive color process, which means that colors are created by adding light. This fundamental difference in color creation can make it difficult to achieve an exact match.
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Pantone colors often have a specific finish or texture, such as metallic or fluorescent. Digital presses may not be able to replicate these finishes or textures accurately.
Overall, while digital presses can produce high-quality prints with a wide range of colors, achieving an exact match for Pantone colors can be challenging due to differences in ink formulations, paper types, color creation processes, and finishes.