Central Media has developed a secret but streamlined metallic-colour process claiming it gives a creative and cost-effective edge to print jobs.

The Leeds-based repro, print and design group produced a chart of 104 metallic shades to target designers and agencies who want snazzy marketing materials.

Jobs involving multiple metallic colours can be printed in just one pass on the companys five-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 74.

"Firms often go for just one metallic colour because of the expense of extra passes for jobs like spot colour," said managing director Andrew Ainge.

The company uses a CreoScitex Trendsetter CTP system with Prinergy workflow. "We tested the pre-press technology for four months but are keeping it secret."