: How do i design for a printer with more than 4 primaries Some of the new digital printers work on more than 4 primary colors. For example the HP indigo series of digital printers boast with

@Reiling762

I ran an HP Latex printer at a previous job. (A large format printer for vinyl and banners etc.) It was a 6 color Light/Dark model, meaning CMYK + Light Magenta + Light Cyan. We would take whatever art was given to us whether RGB or CMYK and run it through the printers RIP software(we used Onyx) using the color profiles for our 6c L/D setup, which would automatically convert the file to 6 color with darker blacks and more vibrant, bright colors. While we could tweak the levels manually we almost never did and let the RIP do its magic.

Not the same setup as the Indigo which runs CMYK Hexachrome (CMYK + Orange + Green + Violet), I know, but I believe the same applies at most production print shops.

If they print CMYK Hexachrome, they most likely are RIPing any art they get into CMYK Hexachrome, even if you sent them RGB. And it would most likely look great.

You could design in spot color and take advantage of the extra color gamut, but unless there is a specific need, CMYK should be fine, you are already going to benefit from the deeper, richer, more vibrant color that the extra inks will provide.

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@Frith110

I found a HP resource for the output profile as I too was curious
Color Management Settings for HPIndigoInk250Photo.icc Profile
You treat the additional colour channels as you would for spot colour with traditional press - but there is a naming convention for the 'plate' to be recognised by the RIP. You will find further explanations on Youtube if you search for 'Design for Indigo press'

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