Production control

How to Select a Colour for Can Production

A useful production colour specification describes more than how a colour looks on screen or a single reference number.

01
Colour target
What should the production ink aim to match?
A colour target defines the intended colour, but not the complete physical result.
02
Opacity
Should the metal remain visible?
Opaque and transparent ink behaviour create different relationships between colour and substrate.
03
Substrate
Aluminium or steel?
Metal is not a neutral white printing surface. The substrate influences the visible result.
04
Basecoat
What exists beneath the colour?
A white basecoat creates a more neutral printing surface. Without it, exposed metal remains part of the optical result.
05
Artwork behaviour
Solid colour, halftone or both?
The way a colour is used in the artwork can affect separation and plate requirements.
06
Finish
Glossy, satin or matte?
The final varnish changes how light interacts with the printed surface and can modify the perceived colour appearance.
07
Physical verification
What evidence confirms the result?
Digital previews remain preliminary until the colour is evaluated through the appropriate physical production references.

Verification status

AV WORKS verification framework

Digital reference
Colour defined but not physically verified
Factory available
Production facility confirms that the colour can be produced
Metal sample available
Physical rollout or sample exists
Finish verified
Colour evaluated with the intended finish
Production verified
Colour configuration successfully used under documented production conditions

AV WORKS Tool

Digital guidance does not replace factory-specific technical confirmation or physical colour approval.