Why CMYK Crushes 6 Color Printing

Back in April, forum member russspears asked a question about 6 color process printing that spurred a discussion of both how to properly prepare files for 6 (or 7 or more) color printing but also a debate about the merits of 6 color process printing. Since I first quoted scottws1 who called 6 color printing "the Wave of the Future that never really happened," we've had some more good comments that tend toward the most people won't notice the difference camp.

Mike Wofsey of Galaxy Gauge Graphic Design Tools gives his personal insight into why 6 color printing isn't replacing CMYK anytime soon (if ever). (second half of message, after a discussion of working with CMYK vs. RGB).

"Four-color process continues to improve, and with the dominance of the graphic designer that now wears all hats, along with the price-advantage of gang-runs, CMYK is now the industry-default printing method. Not only has it nearly eliminated the threat of six and seven color hi-fi ink models, but it is usually cheaper to use CMYK than one and two color presses, along with Pantone inks and t-heads."

Do you agree? Have some first-hand experience to add to the mix? Join the discussion in the forum.