Color Sequence in Four-Color Printing

The importance of color sequence in four-color printing is investigated solely from the viewpoint of changes in color gamut due to the opacity of individual printed ink films. Discussion is also included on other factors to be considered in color sequence selection. The study eliminates trapping as a factor by using a dry-trap laboratory experiment. The densitometric evaluation of the samples lead to the conclusion that black should always print on top of yellow. It is recommended that yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black be adopted as a standard sequence for the publications industry.