The Printer's Guide to Extended Gamut

What is Extended Gamut Printing? 

Extended Gamut Printing, sometimes called Expanded Gamut Printing, is a modern printing method that uses additional inks beyond the standard CMYK process colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) to reproduce a wider range of colors. This approach allows printers to achieve greater color accuracy and vibrancy—especially for brand colors and images with high color demands—without the need for spot inks. 

There are numerous terms used to describe extended gamut printing, such as expanded gamut, ECG, multicolor, and more. 

What is an Extended Color Gamut? 

An extended (or expanded) color gamut refers to a broader spectrum of reproducible colors achieved by adding extra process inks—typically Orange, Green, and Violet (OGV)—to the traditional CMYK set. Another popular variation, known as XCMYK, is based on high-quality sheet-fed offset printing using standard IS0 12647-2 compliant CMYK inks run to higher-than-normal levels, with nontraditional screening. Both methods enable printers to simulate a wide range of Pantone® and brand colors, improving consistency and reducing costs associated with mixing and inventorying custom spot colors. 

To help printers understand and implement extended gamut workflows, Techkon USA has released a comprehensive 30+ page guide titled “Guide to Expanded Gamut” authored by Ron Ellis, a leading expert in Print Color Management and G7® calibration. 

This free downloadable PDF explains the two most common approaches—XCMYK and CMYKOGV—in detail. It also walks readers through the full color management workflow, including: 

• Conversion – preparing artwork for extended gamut reproduction 

• Calibration – aligning the press or proofer to a known standard 

• Characterization – creating profiles that define the system’s color behavior 

• Control – maintaining consistency across print runs 

Packed with practical tips, tools, and technical guidance, this guide serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to adopt or optimize extended gamut printing in their workflow. 

Download it now and take your color capabilities to the next level.