What is the purpose of color separations in printing?

The purpose of color separations in printing is to divide images into their respective printing primaries. This process is essential because traditional printing relies on the use of a limited number of colors (typically cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, also known as CMYK) to produce a full range of colors on the printed material. By separating the original artwork into these primary colors, printers can create individual printing plates for each color. This allows for accurate and consistent reproduction of the design, ensuring that each color is applied in layers during the printing process to achieve the desired final image.

While creating a multicolored original design and enhancing color vibrancy can be outcomes of effective color separation, the primary function remains the division of colors into the specific inks used in the printing process. Mixing colors before printing might be part of some processes like digital printing, but in traditional printing techniques, separations are crucial to maintaining the integrity and quality of the final print.