Answered by Suzanne Morgan, founder, Print Buyers Online.com

Question:
When printing with process inks, is it possible to print three color process if let’s say there is no yellow in the make up of the piece? Or would I need to quote it four color process?

D.V.

Answer:
If you are attempting to use the process inks to build the illusion of additional colors or "full color," then yes, you need to quote the job as a four color process job even though a yellow color is not apparent in your finished piece. The yellow color helps create many different colors, not just yellow.

If you want to use process colored inks as spot colors, with no attempt to build the appearance of additional colors, then you can quote the job as three PMS colors.