Colour Matching Wide Format Print
How we match colours across different printing processes
Colour matching your wide format print to Litho print, digital print, Pantone colours, CMYK values or even paint is no longer a problem. Our investment in the AGFA workflow system gives us the ability to spot match your brand colours, paint or standard format printed items such as letterheads, brochures or business cards. We can even match colours that have been inaccurately printed in the past, to give you continuity.
Because we use an AGFA workflow throughout our print sites, they “talk” to each other to ensure closest match printing whatever the press we’re printing on.
Spot colour matching between different presses
The spectrometer also takes into account how colour is represented on different substrates and materials. Whilst this has been a problem in the past, particularly when converting brand colours to wide format substrates, the AGFA solution has enabled us to match colour seamlessly between different presses and materials such as Foamex or PVC. Not only that, once your colours are approved, the colour data is saved and named, then applied to every kind of substrate you might possibly want to print to, ready for the next time your brand colour is required.
Spot Colour Matching Case Studies
Case study 1 – Colour Matching Wide Format Print
This is a problem most highlighted when Pantone colours are used in litho printing, and then the converted CMYK values are applied to the wide format print process. Difficulties matching colours when printing both litho and wide format prints are used for the same project. This was exactly the problem we had with the two pieces we printed below.

Typical example of poor colour matching

The difference between Pantone splits and our colour match
The four page document folder was printed to Pantone 295c and then matt laminated. PVC banners which were part of the same project, then had to be printed CMYK using the Pantone guidelines for the CMYK splits. The differences between spot colours and the equivalent CMYK values were very obvious.
However after a small amount of time a spot colour match was achieved using the workflow spectrometer previously calibrated to all of our stocked substrates. The difference between the two colours is shown in the image on the right.
This allowed us to present accurately coloured PVC banners to our customer which were suitably matched to a product printed as a spot colour. Discussing this early in the process enabled us to match these colour critical products with each other quickly and efficiently.
Case Study 2 – Colour Matching Paint

Exact match achieved from paint daub
When we were asked to match our printed signage to a daub of paint, we knew with confidence that we could match the colours.
We were asked to print signage on both Foamex and aluminium composite for a school. With the majority of the woodwork at the school painted in the dark green colour, and no RAL number to hand, we went about matching to a daub of paint supplied by the school. The results were excellent, with the press giving colour matches on two very different surfaces.
If you have print work which requires accurate colour matching, please get in touch to discuss in more detail. Call 01270 625207 or leave a message on the form below and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Related Information
Colour & Quality With HP Indigo Press
The ‘wet’ ink technology used by the HP Indigo digital press in combination with our colour management software allows us to match colours and quality close to litho standards. For this reason, many professional print buyers will specify that jobs are specifically produced on an Indigo press.Guaranteed Colour Consistency with Indigo Printing
The HP Indigo uses an inline spectrophotometer that constantly calibrates to achieve consistent colour output. Unlike the toner based digital machines, the Indigo will achieve colour matching throughout a print run and from job to job. This colour accuracy also matches the litho quality which is unachievable by non-print-production digital machines. The Indigo also allows us to print on to synthetics, canvas and lenticular materials with the same high quality output. See how the Indigo produces superior digital print with amazing results for yourself. Get in touch and we'll send you samples of some of the work this impressive press has produced for us. Also, take a look at the variable data printing capabilities this press offers So..if you’ve got a difficult colour that you are struggling to match then get in touch – we love a challenge.Printing with Silver and Gold inks & Foils
Our ability to print with special inks means that we can create unique and bespoke print finishes to give your printing that extra special sparkle. As well as the standard silver and gold, we can combine colours with to create unique metallic colours. Together with our metallic foils, you can be sure we have the solution for any kind of speciality product such as greeting cards, packaging, brochures and stationery. Our investment in the HP Indigo has given our customers the ability to easily add creativity to printed media. And where this isn't possible our fluorescent foil laminates give amazing results that ink cannot produce. Whether we're adding fluorescent foils to your print, or printing onto fluorescent paper stocks we think we have a solution for you here at Johnsons. Covering all angles, we like to think we have the solution for your branding project. Give the team a call to discuss in more detail, or leave us a message on the form below and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible.Printing Gold or Silver Inks
The Indigo also allows us to print gold or silver inks in short runs, making this kind of creative print accessible to shorter runs. Silver ink printing is a very common part of our Indigo print production, giving our clients the ability to have truly metallic finishes on text or image. Gold ink printing is used commonly in coat of arms, logo's and texts across all kinds of printed media such as menu's, brochures and gift vouchers to add that added security. If you would like us to send you a sample, please just complete the form below or call us on or call us on 01270 625 207.Foil Blocking
To get that unique metallic print finish on your business cards or literature, foil blocking or laminate films are the best solution. But Block foiling offers more than a metallic print finish. As well as the standard gold and silver foils, we also have a wide variety of colours to choose from and we will work with you to select the best colours to enhance a brand, or to simply add that special touch.An Array of Block Foiling Choices
With such a large variety of foils to choose from, we can offer a huge range of different finishes from the usual metallic, to matt and iridescent foils that can achieve stunning results. Traditionally used on invitations and greeting cards, foils are becoming increasingly popular on brochures, packaging and business cards, adding that extra quality to the product. This has been made possible by the affordability of block foiling not previously available in short run printing. Our investment in the latest machinery and skilled workforce will give you an unparalleled choice of foil printing at the highest quality.We're Here to Help
We'd like to help you choose from the foils available. You are very welcome to visit us here in Cheshire where we can show you the choices or we can send samples out to you. Our sales team are also on hand to visit you if you would like to discuss in more detail. Foil blocking is also often used in combination with embossing to give the print item a textured feel. See below to find out more about embossing and other speciality print finishes we can apply. To receive a sample of foil printed stocks, please complete the form below or call us on 01270 625 207.Wide Format - Sign & Display
Johnsons wide format print unit boasts some of the most advanced printing facilities dedicated to sign and display manufacturing. Our wide format printing presses offer an exceptional print quality which is why some of the largest brands in the UK frequently return to us.High Quality Large Format Printing
Our flatbed and roll-to-roll presses replicate the high quality print that Johnsons is renowned for. We're capable of printing to a wide range of materials and substrates up to 50mm in depth. Put this together with our comprehensive print finishing capabilities, we have a complete wide format print solution specialising in the following:- Exhibition & Display Stands
- Signage
- Outdoor Display
- Roller Banners
- Printed Hoarding
- Office Branding
- PVC Banners
- Wallpapers, Wall Graphics
- Photography Print Products
- Point of Sale
- Office & Event Installation Services
Colour Matching & Photographic Quality
We have invested in one of the first AGFA Anapurna wide format printers with start-to-finish workflow in the UK. Thus giving us the ability to print, cut and finish to the highest standard in a single, efficient process. We are able to produce large format images of photographic quality on a commercial scale and which are superior to those from most other printers currently available. This means that we are able to exactly match your brand colour, something that was not achievable on a commercial basis until recently. All you need to do is tell us the pantone, CMYK split or send us a sample and we will match your colour.We're Here To Help
Finally, you can always contact us to discuss wide format production. We're here to offer our experience with all aspects of your project on 01270 625207. Please see our complete Large Format Product Catalogue for all our large format products.Dry Wipe Walls - Magnet Receptive
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Measuring For Installation
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Full Office Branding Services
