5 Color Printing?

[Techboy]

Hello,
We have an upcoming project that requires an extra gold color on top of CMYK. Can someone explain how we would need to setup the digital file/layout? How does the process of 5th color gets added? I'm guessing it would be on a separate plate correct?

Thank you.

[prepress_vee]

Yes. A separate plate.
Leave it designated as a Spot Color / PMS Color in your layout.

[Techboy]

So essentially, this 5th color is just like 4-color + varnish? What happens if this will be an "overall" 5th color and not spot like the usual varnish?

Thanks for responding so quickly.

[RedOak]

Originally Posted by Techboy

So essentially, this 5th color is just like 4-color + varnish? What happens if this will be an "overall" 5th color and not spot like the usual varnish?

Vee is correct. Make sure you set this color to spot within the native app. And if qoing to PDF make sure you understand those color settings as well (colors all or devise N)

Essentially the exact same. You can flood it like a varnish, spot areas like a varnish, or use it as its own element in the design for type, design elements or we use spot colors many logos, it could be part of a duotone, a separate channel in photoshop with the spot color has creates interesting effects.

There are many directions to go when you pass that 4 color barrier.

[prepress_vee]

Emmm... if I understand correctly, (and these Boston Ales may not be helping..)
You cannot run Gold over you entire CMYK job like you would with a Flood Varnish. Metallic Gold is opaque, and will "cover" up anything below/under it.
With a Flood Varnish, you print or lay down the CMYK and then Flood or Coat the sheet with your Varnish. But Varnish is Translucent. Metallic Inks are Opaque. Follow me, see through vs/ not see through.

It can however be used as redoak says, as an extra channel in piece to create a unique color tone/effect, etc, etc.

Hope this helps.
Vee

[beermonster]

all of the above is right - make sure to either spread or choke and make sure to knockout..unless you want to overprint it - which unless you have UV interdecking will be fun!

good luck - any problems - who ya gonna call? PPF busters!

[RedOak]

Techboy.... Have we scared you?

[Techboy]

Hehe, i'm not scared. In fact, I'm happy you guys clear this up for me. I had done varnish before, but never with 4-color projects.

Hence, I'm unsure of the difference between a 2-color + varnish vs 4-color + extra color. I didn't realized both are essentially the same in nature and how you prep them.

Thank again!

[prepress_vee]

It's all about the plates!
Think in plates, and how the colors should be laid down on paper to achieve your goal.

Oh yea - if it looks good on your monitor, it's gotta be right! Right?
heheheheheeee

[RedOak]

About being scared....

I started reading through this thread and thinking about all the "Options" "Variations" and such that you can use that "5th" color. I kinda scared me that All those options are there... But that is what makes our job fun. And then we "over answered" your question with everything that you can do. It is great that you are asking the questions - Keep reading and learning. After 18 years i still read and learn daily.

Trapping Gold can be tricky. It is not the normal ink like Vee and Beermonster said, It is opaque and will cover up everything up. It does not dry the same and can offset if cut early (but you shouldnt worry about that - you're in prepress)

Keep it up.