Decoration methods
Full Color
Digital full-color printing that applies CMYK ink to the item in one pass, reproducing photographic imagery, gradients, and fine multi-color detail as a flat image.
How full color works
Digital printing sends artwork straight from file to the item — no plates or per-color screens — laying all colors down in a single pass. It carries photographs, gradients, drop shadows, and dense multi-color artwork at high resolution, reading as a flat image on the surface. A specific brand color is rendered as a close full-color process simulation rather than an exact spot ink, and on colored items the substrate shifts the appearance.
Reach for it when the artwork is photographic, has gradients or blends, or carries more colors than clean solids can capture — it renders intricate detail and small type cleanly. Brand colors are simulated within a full-color blend, so they land close but not as an exact matched spot solid.
Is full color right for your artwork?
- Best for
- Photographic, gradient, or many-color artwork where smooth tonal blends and fine detail matter more than exact solid color.
- Not the fit for
- When a specific brand color must reproduce as an exact, edge-to-edge spot-color solid, since color is rendered as a full-color simulation.
- Fine detail
- Holds fine detail, small text, gradients, and photographic imagery cleanly, because the full image prints in one high-resolution pass.
- Pantone matching
- Pantone (PMS) color matching is available as an option for an additional charge per color.
- Choose something else if
- The design is a few flat, solid colors best printed as dedicated spot inks — choose Screen Print.
Full Color questions, answered
- What is digital full-color printing?
- Digital printing sends the artwork straight from file to the item with no plates or per-color screens, laying every color down in a single pass. It carries photographs, gradients, drop shadows and dense multi-color artwork at high resolution, reading as a flat image on the surface, and holds fine detail and small type cleanly.
- Does digital printing match Pantone colors exactly?
- A specific brand color is rendered as a close full-color process simulation rather than an exact spot ink, and on colored items the substrate shifts the appearance. Digital printing is the right choice when the artwork is photographic, has gradients or carries more colors than clean solids can capture. When a brand color must reproduce as an exact, edge-to-edge solid, choose screen print.
Every product page lists the decoration methods it offers, with the imprint locations, color limits and charges for that item, and a Questions & Answers section where you can ask about full color on a specific product.