In a previous posts, we talked about spot colors and continuous tones/halftones. Today we’re going to talk about a few terms that are used to describe instances when an image is printed using a combination of spot colors (inks) instead of using the 4-color process model or just printed with a single color ink.
Traditionally, duotones were printed when the cost of 4-color process printing was prohibitive or beyond a client’s budget. A duotone makes it possible to transform or give a little extra appeal to a grayscale (black & white) image/photo that would otherwise have been printed with black ink. Common duotone colors are black ink in combination with a yellow or brown ink that would then emulate the look of old, sepia-toned photographs.
Tritones add a third ink color for an even more expansive color palette. In some instance, and depending on the nature of the photograph, a tritone could almost approximate a full-color image.
Quadtones, of course, add a fourth ink color and are typically found in high quality, high-end books showcasing the grayscale (black & white) photography of notable or famous photographers. The expanded tonal range provided by combining, for example, black ink with a combination of two additional gray inks and a warm brown ink creates images that go far beyond an image printed solely with black ink.
Is it possible to combine a duotone / tritone /quadtone with 4-color process printing?
Yes! Many commercial printer now operate multi-color presses (6- and 8-color presses are common) capable of printing 2 or 4 spot color inks in addition to the 4 process ink colors in the same print run.
Can a quadtone be printed using 4-color process inks?
Yes and no. Professional image-editing software, like Adobe Photoshop, makes it possible to convert a full-color photograph to grayscale (black & white) before converting to a duotone (2 spot inks), tritone (3 spot inks), or quadtone (4 spot inks) image. The duotone / tritone / quadtone image can subsequently be converted to a CMYK image, which will print an approximation of how the image would look if it were printed using the spot ink colors.
When is it appropriate to print duotones, tritones or quadtones?
Duotones / tritones / quadtone images are particularly well-served when printed on non-coated paper stock often used in combination with coated paper stocks when creating corporate annuals, showcase brochures, high-end product catalogs, etc. Sometimes, stepping away from full-color can lend a photograph a certain mystique so as to convey different moods, emotions, and temperaments.
If you have any questions about duotones, tritones, or quadtones, give us a call. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
