Why do newspapers print a combination of four dots - blue, pink, yellow, black - at the bottom of each page?

These are registration marks used during printing to help ensure the print is aligned properly...

4TO40.COM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Q & A WHY DO NEWSPAPERS PRINT A COMBINATION OF FOUR DOTS - BLUE, PINK, YELLOW, BLACK - AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH PAGE?PRINT

Updated On: 10/13/2009 | Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 13 Hits: 285

The four dots - blue (cyan), pink (magenta), yellow and black are registration marks used during printing to help ensure the print is aligned properly. In offset printing technology, which newspapers use, the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. These primary colours go into printing a multi-coloured image and have separate plates. Each plate has its individual mark, like the colour dot.
 

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Tags: Print alignment, Registration marks used during printing, Offset printing technology, Multi-coloured image, Printing surface, Rubber blanket, Newspaper, News, Media, Printing