What's the difference between "spot colors" and "four color process”?

Spot color refers to individual colors. Spot colors are used in the offset printing process. Each spot color is assigned a specific Pantone Matching System (PMS) number so that it can be exactly duplicated/matched. Four color process refers to the four colors that make up the CMYK format - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black). Used individually, each of these is a spot color, but together they form the four color process as they can be blended and grouped to create a number of other colors and produce the highest quality prints.

Can a two-color press print a four-color brochure?
Yes, but the real question is why would you want to do this? Printing a four-color brochure on a two-color press will require running the print through the press more than once. This creates a whole set of new complications and potential problems, as well as additional cost and waste. Running a print through the press twice also requires a very skilled press operator. Your best bet is to select a printer that can handle full-color jobs.

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