Brochure Design Color Theory for Brochures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'ink coverage' and why does it matter in brochure production?
- The total percentage of ink on a page; high coverage increases cost and drying time (Correct answer)
- The brand color accuracy level
- The number of Pantone inks used
- The thickness of the paper stock
Correct answer: The total percentage of ink on a page; high coverage increases cost and drying time
Total ink coverage above 300% can cause smearing, slow drying, and higher production costs in offset printing.
Question 2: Which color is associated with trust and reliability, making it popular in US corporate brochures?
- Blue (Correct answer)
- Red
- Yellow
- Green
Correct answer: Blue
Blue is widely associated with trust, stability, and professionalism, which is why it dominates corporate and financial brochures.
Question 3: What is a 'tint' in brochure color application?
- A color mixed with white to create a lighter version (Correct answer)
- A color mixed with black
- A fully saturated hue
- A metallic color effect
Correct answer: A color mixed with white to create a lighter version
A tint is created by adding white to a base color, producing lighter, softer variations useful for backgrounds and subtle accents.
Question 4: What is 'color bleed' in the context of print production?
- Extending background colors beyond the trim line to prevent white edges (Correct answer)
- Ink spreading excessively on paper
- A color that appears on both sides of the sheet
- An unwanted color shift in printing
Correct answer: Extending background colors beyond the trim line to prevent white edges
Color bleed ensures solid background areas extend past the trim line so no white gaps appear after cutting.
Question 5: What is an 'analogous color scheme'?
- Colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel (Correct answer)
- Colors directly opposite on the color wheel
- A single color in various shades
- Random colors chosen for contrast
Correct answer: Colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel
Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel, creating harmonious, pleasing combinations in brochure design.
Question 6: What does 'spot color' mean in brochure printing?
- A pre-mixed ink printed as a single, specific color rather than built from CMYK (Correct answer)
- A color applied only to one spot on the page
- A digital-only color effect
- A color used exclusively for logos
Correct answer: A pre-mixed ink printed as a single, specific color rather than built from CMYK
Spot colors use dedicated pre-mixed inks for precise color matching, often used for brand colors or metallic effects.
What is 'ink coverage' and why does it matter in brochure production?