What causes color drift and color out of spec?
The accuracy limitations of CMYK printing are that the results can vary, sometimes greatly, depending on the range, how it is calibrated, and the particular color you are trying to print. Even the results from different digital printers or presses can vary, so color accuracy may be an issue, particularly if you’re printing items at different times or with different printers. There are also colors that cannot be reproduced using the CMYK process – such as metallics and very bright colors. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you don’t use spot colors in your document. Inevitably, the colors shift when processed in CMYK, and this could be a cause of the color out of spec you’re experiencing. A good idea for designers might be to go into the Pantone Process Book and pick a process color that’s as close to the spot color as possible, when choosing to use a four-color printer. Select a color that can be printed in CMYK. Use the process color instead; the color is much more likely to print.
