How Do I Print in Metallics and Fluorescents? (What is CMYK+?)

Think about the last time you walked past a bulletin board or flipped through a stack of mail. Most pieces probably faded into the background until one caught your attention with bold, shimmering color or a design that just looked different. For many businesses today, the challenge is figuring out how to make their prints stand out in a world where everyone is competing for attention.

Research suggests that print already has an advantage. Studies show that printed marketing pieces take 21% less cognitive effort to process than digital marketing, meaning people absorb print more quickly and easily than a digital ad on their phone. However, if everyone is printing in the same basic four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), your message risks looking like everything else.

The solution? CMYK+ (sometimes called “Beyond CMYK”). At STPT, we help businesses, nonprofits, schools, and print providers find ways to elevate their print and connect with their audience. In this article, we’ll walk you through what CMYK+ is, how it differs from Beyond CMYK, what tools make it possible, and why it matters for anyone looking to make their printed pieces more memorable.

Table of Contents

• What is CMYK Printing?
• What Dows “Beyond CMYK” Mean?
• CMYK+ vs. Beyond CMYK: What’s the Difference?
• What Are Adaptive CMYK+ Kits?
• Why Beyond CMYK Matters for Marketing
• Real-World Applications of CMYK+
• Which Printers Support CMYK+?
• Who Benefits Most from CMYK+?
• Conclusion: Standing Out in a Crowded Marketplace

What Is CMYK Printing?

Traditional digital presses and office printers work in four colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (K). By layering these inks or toners, printers can produce millions of colors. For decades, CMYK has been the standard in both commercial and in-house printing.

But CMYK has its limits. While it produces a wide range of colors, it can’t achieve effects like metallic shine, neon vibrancy, or special embellishments that give a tactile or visual “pop.” And in a marketplace where audiences are bombarded by thousands of visuals daily, that limitation is becoming more noticeable.

What Does “Beyond CMYK” Mean?

“Beyond CMYK” is the industry’s term for going outside the traditional four-color gamut. It’s about using specialty toners or inks to create effects that standard CMYK simply can’t.

With Beyond CMYK printing, you can add:

• Metallics like gold and silver.
• Fluorescents that glow under UV light.
• White as a base to print on dark stocks.
• Clear overlays for texture or emphasis.

And it’s for more than just aesthetics. According to NAPCO and Keypoint Intelligence, 77% of marketers believe print enhancements give their brand a premium look, and 74% of consumers say the design technique of a direct mail piece influences their decision to engage with it. In other words: specialty print leads to real-world results.

Learn more about how digital printing can impact your marketing strategies here.

CMYK+ vs. Beyond CMYK: What’s the Difference?

Here’s where things get a little confusing. “Beyond CMYK” is the general concept, but CMYK+ is Xerox’s specific approach to delivering it.

• Beyond CMYK = Any effects outside the four-color gamut (metallics, fluorescents, clear, etc.). Many brands like Ricoh, Konica Minolta, and Canon have their own ways of doing this.
• CMYK+ = Xerox’s branded system for Beyond CMYK, available through its digital presses and add-on kits.

What Are Adaptive CMYK+ Kits?

One of Xerox’s big innovations is the Adaptive CMYK+ Kit. These are optional add-ons for certain presses, specifically the Versant 280 and larger presses.

These kits let you swap toner sets to switch between “Vivid” and “Fluorescent” effects in about 10 minutes.

• Vivid Kit: Adds White, Gold, Silver, and Clear.
• Fluorescent Kit: Adds Fluorescent Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black.

This flexibility makes it possible for a print shop or in-house team to expand into specialty printing without committing to a full specialty press.

Why Beyond CMYK Matters for Marketing

Because print is already easier for audiences to process than digital, adding specialty enhancements only takes this advantage to another level.

• Memorability: Embellishments make people stop and look. In fact, the 18–34 age range is most likely to engage with embellished/Beyond CMYK direct mail pieces. That’s the very audience many marketers are trying hardest to reach.
• Perceived Value: Specialty colors make even simple pieces feel more premium. That’s why 77% of marketers associate enhancements with a stronger brand image.
• Performance: Direct mail in particular benefits. With 74% of consumers saying design influences engagement, metallic lettering or a neon accent could be the difference between a mailer being read or tossed.

Real-World Applications of CMYK+

The use cases go far beyond flashy ads. Here are just a few:

• Direct Mail Campaigns: Metallic envelopes or fluorescent headlines that get noticed in the mailbox.
• Event Materials: Programs, tickets, and posters with metallic accents that feel high-end.
• Packaging: Adding clear overlays for texture or neon highlights to differentiate on retail shelves.
• Education and Nonprofits: Schools producing vibrant yearbooks or posters; nonprofits using eye-catching mailers for fundraising campaigns.

Organizations that need more than standard four-color printing can use Beyond CMYK to add real impact without outsourcing every specialty job.

Which Printers Support CMYK+?

Not every printer can handle Beyond CMYK. Below is a quick breakdown of where Xerox offers it:

• Versant 280 Presses - Compatible with Adaptive CMYK+ Kits (Vivid + Fluorescent).
• Iridesse Production Press - Offers inline Beyond CMYK with up to six specialty colors in a single pass, making it ideal for higher-volume or premium jobs.

Who Benefits Most from CMYK+?

• Print Shops & Service Providers: Add specialty effects as premium upsells.
• In-Plant Print Providers (universities, enterprises): Produce professional-level marketing materials in-house.
• Small Marketing Firms & Nonprofits: Differentiate campaigns with affordable specialty options.

And for organizations not ready for a full specialty press, the Adaptive CMYK+ Kits serve as a scalable entry point.

Conclusion: Standing Out in a Crowded Marketplace

Audiences today are flooded with visuals online, on their phones, and even in their mailboxes. The question isn’t whether print still works (it does), but how you make your print stand out. Specialty enhancements like metallics, fluorescents, and clear accents can turn a simple flyer or mailer into something that feels valuable, memorable, and worth keeping.

By incorporating Beyond CMYK into your prints, you can create a unique experience for your audience and give your brand a competitive edge.

Wondering If a Production Printer With CMYK+ Is Right for You?

Curious how Beyond CMYK could fit into your print strategy? Read our guide: Is a Production Printer Right for Your Business? + Costs to see if investing in specialty printing makes sense for your organization.