Understanding Print Terminology: 4/0 vs 4/4 Printing
When you receive an official quote for a massive printing project, the terminology can look like a foreign language. You will often see numbers like ‘4/0’ or ‘4/4’ listed next to your item description. These numbers dictate exactly how ink is applied to your paper, and misunderstanding them can lead to costly mistakes.
Decoding the Numbers
In the commercial printing world, the number 4 represents the four standard ink colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK).
- The 4/0 Setup: This means the printer applies four colors to the front of the page and zero colors to the back. In simple terms, it is full color on the front with a completely blank back.
- The 4/4 Setup: This indicates that the four CMYK colors are applied to both sides of the sheet. This means you have full, vibrant color on both the front and the back.
The Raven32 Recommendation
Leaving the back of your marketing materials blank is usually a massive missed opportunity. As printing and promotional experts, our strongest advice is to always print 4/4 on business cards and direct mailers. You are paying for that physical paper space, so you should use it to showcase a map, a coupon, or a QR code. Reach out today to get your custom print project quoted accurately.