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Figure Index

Six figures are embedded within this document. The table below details the placement of each individual image, together with brief descriptions of their corresponding illustrated content.

Color Topics

Go directly to the color decision you need to make. The practical route depends on your artwork, film base, finish, quantity and how closely a brand color must be controlled.

  • Screen vs ink on film
  • White ink on film
  • Gravure vs flexo color
  • Finish & lamination
  • CMYK & spot color routes
  • Color matching process
  • Substrate optics
  • Proof options

Screen vs Ink on Film

A screen preview is not a print standard. RGB screens create color with light; packaging uses ink reflected from a translucent film, so the film base, coating and lighting all change the result.

RGB on screen

  • Depends on monitor settings and room light
  • Can show colors outside a printable gamut
  • Cannot show film transparency, white ink or lamination

Ink on film

  • Gravure or flexo ink is printed on the real film
  • Transparent film lets the contents influence the color
  • White ink, coating and lamination change depth and gloss

For a critical color, approve an agreed physical reference or production-relevant proof — not a screenshot sent through email or messaging apps.

  • Gravure vs Flexo Color
  • CMYK & Spot Color
  • Substrate Optics

Gravure vs Flexo Color

Shortlist your preferred material route prior to sampling to narrow down feasible options and streamline subsequent material testing and validation work.
Route Best suited to Main strength What you need to confirm
12-color gravure High-saturation brand solids, fine gradients, metallic/pearl inks, long runs Deep ink laydown, stable color over large batches Cylinder engraving cost, minimum run length, ink system
8-color flexo Water-based inks, quick changeovers, medium runs Lower plate cost, faster sampling, food-safe solvent-free options Ink coverage limits, fine-screen gradients, dot gain on film
Gravure + flexo hybrid Different jobs sharing one supply chain Each job uses the process that fits its color demand Color consistency between the two processes on repeat orders

Ask which process will run your job before approving artwork — dot gain, ink laydown and gradient rendering differ between gravure and flexo.

CMYK & Spot Color

Shortlist your preferred material route prior to sampling to narrow down feasible options and streamline subsequent material testing and validation work.
Color route Best suited to Main strength What you need to confirm
CMYK Photography, gradients, multi-color graphics Flexible full-color reproduction Gamut, black build and proof route
Spot color Logos and critical solid brand colors A specified ink reference on the real film Film base, white ink, finish and tolerance
CMYK + spot Rich graphics plus a controlled brand color Image flexibility plus one defined reference Extra cylinder/plate cost and final specification

Ask which process will run your job before approving artwork — dot gain, ink laydown and gradient rendering differ between gravure and flexo.

Substrate Optics

Shortlist your preferred material route prior to sampling to narrow down feasible options and streamline subsequent material testing and validation work.
Film base Color behavior Design note
Clear PET/PE Light passes through; content shows through White ink underprint needed for bright solids
White film Clean base for bright process color First choice for saturated brand colors
Aluminum foil (PET/AL/PE) Metallic reflection shifts and darkens colors Use opaque white base or selective white for logo areas
Metallized film (VMPET) Semi-metallic sheen, lighter than foil Metallic look with partial transparency control
Matte or pearl film Reduces saturation, adds soft texture Approve critical colors on the actual matte surface
Kraft-laminated film (extension) Brown base shows through many inks White underprint or a different base may be recommended

Ask which process will run your job before approving artwork — dot gain, ink laydown and gradient rendering differ between gravure and flexo.

White Ink on Film

White Ink on Film

Use white ink for light graphics or as an underprint. On transparent, metallic and kraft surfaces, white improves readability and brightness. Opacity and registration must be checked on the actual film.

  • Standalone White

    White logos, text or graphics printed directly on a colored or metallic substrate.

  • White Underprint

    A white base beneath process or spot color to increase brightness on transparent film.

  • Selective Base

    Keep some transparent or metallic areas open while other areas print more brightly.

Finish & Lamination

Gloss, matte and soft-touch films change contrast, depth and perceived saturation. Approve critical color with the planned finish — the same ink can look different under a matte film.

  • Matte lamination

    Softens contrast, slightly reduces perceived saturation

  • Gloss lamination

    Deepens contrast and gloss, colors look more vivid

  • Spot UV

    Adds a raised glossy accent on selected areas

  • Hot-foil stamping

    Metallic accents that cannot be reproduced by process ink

  • Embossing

    Texture changes how light hits the surface

  • Color Matching Process
  • Proof Options
  • Color Gallery

Color Matching Process

Choose a proof that can answer your color question. On film, a material swatch shows the base, but only a printed sample shows the ink-base relationship.
Step Action Purpose
01 Share reference — Pantone code, approved sample or agreed measurable standard Define the target color objectively
02 Lock the film base — substrate, thickness and printing side Eliminate material variables
03 Select the print route — gravure/flexo, CMYK/spot, white ink Match process to artwork demand
04 Choose the proof — from digital proof to production-grade sample Match proof cost to color importance
05 Approve under standard lighting — D65 daylight booth Judge color under a fixed light source
06 Record the target — keep the approved sample with the job specification Anchor repeat orders to one reference

Ecopak provides Pantone-matched proofs in 3-5 working days before mass production, so critical colors are locked before the cylinder or plate is engraved.

Proof Options

Choose a proof that can answer your color question. On film, a material swatch shows the base, but only a printed sample shows the ink-base relationship.
Proof Useful for Important limitation
On-screen PDF Text, layout and content approval Not a physical color standard
Digital printed proof Artwork position and indicative appearance May not reproduce final gravure ink exactly
Film & material swatch Base transparency, whiteness and surface Does not show the complete printed artwork
Production-grade sample Final film, ink, white and finish relationship Requires more setup, time and cost

Ecopak provides Pantone-matched proofs in 3-5 working days before mass production, so critical colors are locked before the cylinder or plate is engraved.

Color Gallery

Choose a proof that can answer your color question. On film, a material swatch shows the base, but only a printed sample shows the ink-base relationship.
Color direction Typical film & ink combination Look
White White film or clear film + white underprint Clean, bright, minimal
Black White film + dense black build Strong contrast, premium feel
Blue White film + spot blue or CMYK Brand-stable, easy to match
Green White film + spot green Fresh, natural positioning
Red White film + dense red or spot red High shelf impact
Pink White film + pastel build Soft, cosmetic-friendly
Purple White film + spot purple Luxury, specialty segments
Kraft (extension) Kraft-laminated film, white underprint optional Natural, earthy tone
Metallic accent Foil or metallized film + selective white Premium metal highlights

Ecopak provides Pantone-matched proofs in 3-5 working days before mass production, so critical colors are locked before the cylinder or plate is engraved.

Have a Different Question?

Send the artwork,film structure and color reference together.

Contact Us

We'll help you select CMYK, spot color,white inkorproduction proof for your next step.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you match the color shown on my website?

Q1. Can You Match the Color Shown on My Website?

A. A screenshot is not a stable print reference. Supply a Pantone code, approved physical sample or another agreed standard when the color is critical.

Q2. Why Does My Logo Look Different on a Transparent Bag?

A. Light passes through clear film, so the contents wash out printed colors. A white ink underprint restores brightness and opacity.

Q3. Will Aluminum Foil Change My Brand Color?

A. Yes. The metallic surface reflects light and can darken or shift colors. Foil jobs usually need opaque white or selective white in logo areas.

Q4. Does Matte Lamination Darken Colors?

A. Matte film softens contrast and slightly reduces perceived saturation. Approve critical color with the planned finish, not a gloss proof.

Q5. Can Kraft-Laminated Bags Print Bright Colors?

A. The brown base shows through many inks and reduces brightness. White underprint helps, or a white film base may be recommended for color-critical work.

Q6. How Close Can You Get to My Pantone Color?

A. We match against the current Pantone guide with a printed proof before mass production. Final appearance still depends on film, white ink and finish — confirm which colors are critical.

Q7. Can a Repeat Order Be Exactly Identical?

A. Repeat orders use the approved specification and reference, but materials and press conditions still have practical tolerances. Keep the approved sample with the job file.

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