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Pantones

extend. Pantone Matching System, PMS
The proprietary Pantone color matching system is the most popular method of specifying extra colors – not out of the CMYK four color process – for print. Pantone colors are numbered and are made up out of a base set of colors. By specifying a specific Pantone color, a designer knows that there is little chance of color variance on the presses.

Pantones are generally used as spot colors, such as logos, to ensure color consistency for corporate identities. However, they can also be used in halftone graphics and for duotones.

Pantones can also be simulated using the colors from the CMYK spectrum – and Pantone even publish a guide for doing so. However, the results can often be unsatisfactory, especially for greens and oranges. This is one of the motivations for the development of the Hexachrome printing system.

See also: Pantone news

Platesetter

A plate-setter is a type of imagesetter that outputs press-ready digital files directly onto printing plates, as opposed to films.

See also: Imagesetter

Press proof

A press proof is a a printed proof that has been run using an actual printing press and commercial printing inks. This is generally done immediately prior to running the actual job.

Proofing press

There are special proofing presses which are built with the specific purpose of creating accurate proofs. The advantage is that the proofs are printed using the same materials – ink and paper – as the intended print job, without the commercial commitment of the press proof. The downside is that the colors are often more vibrant than they would be on the actual printed document.