XCMYK is a new expanded-gamut printing method that yields a much wider color gamut than regular 4-color printing. For example, Digital printers can simulate XCMYK using ICC profiles, so long as their printing system has a color gamut equal to or greater than XCMYK.
The XCMYK dataset and profiles can reproduce a larger gamut than that of GRACoL®, the industry’s current standard for print quality. The XCMYK dataset and profiles can also be used directly in digital front ends for presses, proofers, and other devices. Profiles can be used on traditional four-color presses as well as on a variety of digital devices to produce a colorspace larger than current traditional printing.
XCMYK research and development was conducted by the GRACoL Working Group and a special task force of more than 100 professionals from 88 companies, over a 15-month period in 2015-2016, and involved 26 test sites around the world, including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan, Canada, and the United States. See complete list of XCMYK Test Sites.