What are halftones?
Halftones is the term given to describe the process of converting multi-colour artwork to just one solid colour with lots of shades of that colour.
Why use halftones?
Single colour artwork is the cheapest option so printing a halftone image rather than a multi-colour image is a great option if you’re on a tight budget. Often companies are still able to retain artwork/corporate colours by choosing one colour of ink to be printed onto balloons in the different colours found in their artwork.
Multi-colour artwork is both complex and more expensive than single colour artwork. It is more complex because movement of the balloons during the print process (balloons are printed whilst inflated) can distort the image whilst it is more expensive simply because more inks = more cost.
How is it done?
The darkest part of the logo is printed in a solid colour and then the rest of the logo is printed in shades of that colour. To achieve the shading effect, the ink is printed in dots. The fewer the dots per square inch, the lighter the shade. Up close, the ink is seen as a series of tiny dots but when viewed at arm’s length, the eye blends the dots together and is seen as a solid colour.
Printing less ink per inch also allows the colour of the balloon to come through which will make the ink colour appear lighter or darker. Halftones are best on white balloons and can only be done on latex balloons.
Here are some examples of how multi-colour artwork has been changed by using halftones:
In the first example, the frog’s eyes were printed in solid dark green and the rest of the frog was printed in varying shades of this solid colour. Two other solid colours of ink were also used; red and dark blue.
In the second example the multiple colours of the camper van were reduced to just one colour – white. The balloons were used at an exhibition so to make the stand eye-catching the logo was printed onto a mix of brightly coloured balloons which looked great as you can see!
Halftones can be created from any solid colour. Here are some examples of photographs printed onto white, latex balloons showing varying shades of the solid colours black and red:
Key Benefits of Halftones
• Cheaper than printing multi-colour artwork
• Enables photographs to be printed onto balloons
• More accurate replica of artwork as complex artwork can be printed without having to alter it to allow for movement during the print process
Hopefully this has given you a little insight into how halftones can be used in balloon printing and how it may be an option for you. If you’re unsure whether halftones would be suitable for your artwork, feel free to send it over to info@signatureballoons.co.uk and one of our team of Balloonologists will be more than happy to offer you some advice.
Mark, Balloonologist.