duotones
Two-color printed images
Duotones are images printed or displayed using two colors, typically black and one other ink.
The technique creates a richer tonal range than single-color printing while remaining more economical than full color.
In design and photography, duotone often describes the distinctive two-tone aesthetic: The album cover used stark duotones of navy and cream.
Dot-based image reproduction
- screenprintingInk-through-mesh reproduction method
- inkWriting fluid
- PantoneColor matching standard
- overprintPrint over printed surface
risograph · CMYK · registration · separation · lithography · posterization · press · substrate
Tonal range, black to white
- monochromeSingle-color rendering
- sepiaReddish-brown pigment
- cyanotypePhotographic blue-print process
- tintingApplying light color
exposure · filter · overlay · post-processing · color-grading · noir · portrait · silhouette
Single-color rendering
- minimalismAesthetic of reduction
- retroEvoking recent past
- vintageQuality from past eras
- stylizedGiven artistic treatment
subdued · muted · pastel · nostalgic · atmospheric · moody · stark · bold
Depicting light and darkness
- gradationIncremental transition between stages
- tintFaint color addition
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- lightnessMinimal weight or gravity
darkness · luminosity · highlight · shadow · midtone · value · brightness · falloff
Surface for mixing pigments
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- typographyArranging letters for display
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
- posterDisplayed printed notice
interface · infographic · illustration · icon · mockup · template · composition · thumbnail
halftone
Dot-based image reproduction
- screenprintingInk-through-mesh reproduction method
- inkWriting fluid
- PantoneColor matching standard
overprint · risograph · CMYK · registration · separation · lithography · posterization · press · substrate · proofing
grayscale
Tonal range, black to white
- monochromeSingle-color rendering
- sepiaReddish-brown pigment
- cyanotypePhotographic blue-print process
tinting · exposure · filter · overlay · post-processing · color-grading · noir · portrait · silhouette · editing
monochrome
Single-color rendering
- minimalismAesthetic of reduction
- retroEvoking recent past
- vintageQuality from past eras
stylized · subdued · muted · pastel · nostalgic · atmospheric · moody · stark · bold · graphic
shading
Depicting light and darkness
- gradationIncremental transition between stages
- tintFaint color addition
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
lightness · darkness · luminosity · highlight · shadow · midtone · value · brightness · falloff · gradient
palette
Surface for mixing pigments
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- typographyArranging letters for display
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
poster · interface · infographic · illustration · icon · mockup · template · composition · thumbnail
duotonespolychromatic
Having many colors
multicolor · chromatic · vibrant color · technicolor · rich color