CMYK 4-color printing and Pantone spot color printing are two mainstream options for custom packaging. Wrong selection will lead to color deviation and extra costs.
✅ CMYK Four-color Printing
Based on cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks mixed together.
Best for photos, gradients, landscape graphics & multi-color artwork, cost-effective for graphic-heavy packaging.
Limitation: Dots will appear on large solid areas, hard to match exact brand standard color.
✅ Pantone Spot Color Printing
Pre-mixed fixed ink printed directly without color overlapping.
Advantages: Smooth solid surface without dot pattern, precise brand color matching, stable consistent color during mass production.
Limitation: Not suitable for artwork with rich gradients or photos. More cost with extra spot colors.
Our Heidelberg printing team can recommend the best solution based on your artwork. A popular combination: Pantone spot color for logo + CMYK for pictures, balancing color accuracy and budget.