Trapping

Use Common Process Colors to Close Gaps

Process colors can fill gap when objects print out of register.

The closer the percentage of common colors, the less trapping that may be required. (The shift between 20% and 30% cyan is less apparent than the difference between 20% and 80%, for example.)

The illustration on this page (somewhat exaggerated) simulates what might happen if the Magenta plate prints slightly out of register. A shadow at the top and the bottom is not quite as noticeable as it might be if the colors did not share such high percentages of CMYK.

• Large square uses 10/20/40/20
• Small square uses 10/50/40/30.

Index: Trapping

1. When Colors Touch
2. Avoid Touching or Almost Touching Colors
3. Use Common Process Colors to Close Gaps
4. Overprint Black to Prevent Gaps
5. Basic Trapping Terminology
6. Chokes and Spreads Fill the Gaps
7. Knockouts May Require Trapping
8. Overprinting / Surprinting Avoids Need to Trap
9. Manual and Automatic Trapping