What is Hi Colour printing and why should I choose it?

Hi Colour printing is albumworks’ premium 7-colour print process that produces richer tones, greater vibrancy, and smoother colour transitions than standard 4-colour printing — giving your photo book a beautifully enhanced, professional-quality finish.

Unlike most photo books printed using the basic 4-colour CMYK process (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), Hi Colour uses an advanced 7-colour process (CMYK + Orange, Green & Violet). This expanded colour range brings out:

• More natural skin tones

• Vivid landscapes and sunsets

• Delicate, smooth colour gradients

Hi Colour printing is especially popular for wedding albums, travel books, baby books, and professional portfolios where visual depth and colour precision truly matter.

Premium paper options

Hi Colour Photo Books use premium paper carefully matched to your binding style:

• Classic (Perfect Bound) Photo Books
  Printed on Photo Luster paper, available in two weights:
  
  

• 260gsm Photo Luster paper: A beautifully smooth, sturdy stock with a high-end feel that reflects light evenly for consistent tone and rich detail across every image. It offers a luxurious finish without being overly glossy.
  
  

• 190gsm Photo Luster paper: A lighter, more flexible option ideal for books with more pages or a softer, easier page turn.
  
  

• Layflat Photo Books
  Printed on 400gsm E-Photo Lustre paper, a thick, durable stock that allows each spread to lay completely flat. This ultra-premium paper offers excellent stiffness and smooth surface texture, making it perfect for panoramic images and full-spread designs with maximum visual impact.

Want to see the difference?

You can learn more on our Photo Book Quality page, or get in touch with our Customer Service team — we’ll happily send you free print samples of both Hi Colour and Standard Colour so you can compare them for yourself.