Four Color process is a process to create different shades of color by using only four colors, Process Cyan, Process Magenta, Process Yellow, and Black.  This is created by tiny dots • of various density overlapping one another that fool the eye into seeing solid shades of color instead of a large amount of dots.   Almost all color magazine printing is done this way (take a magnifying glass and look at a magazine photo to see this effect).  In doing this you will see a pattern to the dots, this pattern is called a rosett.

ARTWORK -•

Color prints submitted must show proper representation of color.

• The original file must be in layers and the text should be separate from the image.

• Thin lines, text, or large solid backgrounds should be printed as a solid process color or a single spot color (using a pms color or a color match for the spot color).

• Due to registration complications, white text, knocking out of a four color image, needs to be created with one of the following options:

• Opaque white.

• Given a black outline.

• If text is small and background color is light, change the color of the text to black and overprint it.

• TNT SIGNS will determine which LPI is appropriate, according to the size of the item and art    being printed.

FORMAT -•

Art is normally sent on disk and should include:

• Copies of the original documents. (usually Quark, Illustrator and Photoshop)

• Include ALL original EPS and Tiff files to size at 100%. The resolution can be NO LESS than 300 DPI.

• Fonts that were used to create art and/or convert all text to paths.

FILE SPECIFICS -•

• JPG and GIF file formats are usually not accepted. The resolution is normally 72 DPI, which is too low to produce a quality printed image.

They are mostly used for viewing purposes and web design. (The resolution can be NO LESS than 300 DPI)

• The Mode for Photoshop EPS and Tiff files must be CMYK. RGB files are not accepted, due to the color shifting on the viewing and printing spectrum.

• Art may need to be adjusted by TNT SIGNS to compensate for possible dot gain and dot loss.

• If a TIFF or EPS is used to bleed off the background edge:

The art must allow 1/4" on all sides for the bleed, due to shifting and reducing the art, allowing for cut margin requirements. If we have to create the bleed, art charges may apply and more time may be added.

COLOR  -•

White must be printed behind all 4-Color Process Images on all clear materials.

• Specialty colors such as Metallic, Fluorescents, and PMS color matches

should be done as spot colors for best results.