If you’ve ever noticed the small colored circles or squares along the edges or bottom of food packaging and wondered about their purpose, you’re not alone. Despite their presence on almost every package, these “printer’s color blocks” are not widely understood by consumers.
What Are These Circles?
The colorful circles, often in hues like cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK), are quality control tools used during the printing process. Known as printer’s color blocks, these shapes help printing technicians ensure that the colors on the packaging are accurate, consistent, and vibrant.
Purpose of Printer’s Color Blocks
Ink Color Matching:
Each circle represents a color used in the printing process. Technicians use these to verify that the correct colors are applied and that the ink quality meets standards.
Quality Control:
The color blocks allow technicians to identify and fix any issues with ink distribution, such as smudges, color inconsistencies, or faded hues.
Brand Consistency Across Locations:
Packaging is often printed in multiple locations worldwide. The color blocks help ensure that the packaging looks identical regardless of where it’s printed, maintaining the brand’s visual integrity.
Do They Relate to the Food?
No, these circles have nothing to do with the food itself. They are purely a technical aspect of the packaging process, designed for the printing teams to ensure the packaging matches brand specifications.
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