The colored boxes you see on products are called printer's color blocks or process control patches.
These patches are not decorative; they serve a crucial purpose in the printing process. Here's a breakdown:
Why are they there?
- Quality Control: The main purpose of these color blocks is to control the quality of the individual colors used during printing. This ensures that the colors, tints, and hues appear correctly and consistently throughout the print run.
- Color Consistency: Printers need to maintain precise color consistency. These patches allow them to monitor if the printing colors match the desired specifications. Any deviations can be detected and corrected quickly.
How do they work?
- Standard Reference: The color blocks act as a standard reference. Printers will compare the printed patches to a pre-determined color sample.
- Adjusting Ink Levels: If the colors are not matching, the printer can adjust ink levels to ensure the desired color output.
- Process Monitoring: These patches allow for a quick visual check to help identify issues early in the printing process and minimize waste.
Types of Colors
- Typically, you'll see the primary colors used in four-color process printing (CMYK):
- Cyan
- Magenta
- Yellow
- Black
- Sometimes, other colors may also be included, depending on the printing process and the specific design.
In essence, these small, seemingly insignificant color blocks are vital for ensuring that the colors on your product packaging are correct, consistent, and appealing.
