Technology
Print What You Actually Designed
Most packaging prints darker, duller, and less accurate than the design file. That's not a calibration issue - it's a structural limitation of standard 4-color CMYK printing. Sinso solves this at the press level.
Sinso runs 7-color ECG (Expanded Color Gamut) printing - CMYK plus Orange, Green, and Violet ink channels - as its base process. Measured across recent production runs: approximately 82% of Pantone within ΔE 2.5, independently validated by CTV ECG certification. For work where color is load-bearing, it's the structural fix. For commodity print, standard CMYK is sufficient.
Standard CMYK vs. Sinso 7-Color ECG
| Standard CMYK | Sinso 7-Color ECG | |
|---|---|---|
| Ink channels | 4 | 7 |
| Pantone coverage | 55% | ~82% (at ΔE 2.5) |
| Color accuracy (ΔE) | Variable, often >4 | ~ΔE 2.5 |
| Screen-to-print shift | High on saturated colors | Minimal |
| Spot color add-on | Required per color | Not needed |
See the technical benchmarks →
Common questions
What is ECG printing, and why haven't I heard of it?
It's been an ISO standard (ISO 20654) since 2014 but remains uncommon: the equipment investment is higher, the workflow requires specialized expertise, and most print buyers have never been offered it. If your current printer hasn't mentioned it, they likely don't run it.
What's the difference between RGB and ECG? Are they the same thing?
No — they operate at different layers. RGB is a color model used by screens and design software, describing color as combinations of red, green, and blue light. ECG is a printing capability standard describing how wide a gamut a press can reproduce in physical ink. The connection: a 7-color ECG press can faithfully translate an RGB design file into print because its gamut is large enough to cover most of what a screen displays. Standard CMYK cannot make that claim.
How is 7-color ECG different from CMYK plus spot colors?
Both can hit specific Pantone targets, but the economics differ. Spot color printing adds a dedicated ink station per color — each additional color increases plate costs and press setup. It works for one or two brand colors on simple layouts but breaks down on photography or complex gradients. 7-color ECG uses a fixed ink set as a baseline, with no per-color surcharges and no press reconfiguration. For the most extreme saturated colors outside that range, a spot ink plate can be added.