Most retractable hand banners are printed in 1, 2, 3, or 4 colors. The 4-color process — using cyan, magenta, yellow, and black plates — handles the vast majority of full-color artwork including photography and gradients.

Occasionally, an artwork file requires a 5th plate. This happens when a specific color in the design can't be accurately reproduced by blending the standard four process colors - for example, a highly saturated orange, a bright lime green, or a metallic effect approximation. In those cases, we add a 5th printing plate to capture the color accurately.

The banner shown here required 5 plates because of the complexity and range of colors in the original artwork. The result is a banner that accurately reflects the submitted design rather than a compromised approximation.

If you're unsure how many plates your artwork will require, submit your files through the Banner Quote Form and we'll review them before pricing. Setup charges apply per plate per side. All printed orders ship free to one US location. Call 800-884-8095 or visit retractablehandbanners.com.