A duotone image is one that has two colors printed on it. Duotones have existed since the dawn of photography: for example, most people are familiar with sepia toned prints, which use various shades of brown. Because the image appears to be made up of variations on a single color, a duotone is also known as a monochrome print.
To make an artistic statement, many graphic designers use a duotone. It has a timeless and classic appearance that can be appealing for specific marketing and brand campaigns. Duotones are frequently used in advertisements to convey stability, longevity, and style. While sepia is a popular choice, any color can be used to create a duotone. Depending on the color used, a duotone can be subdued or radiant, making it suitable for a wide range of graphics applications.
In addition, a duotone image is less expensive than a four-color image. For small businesses, full four-color process printing can be prohibitively expensive. A business might want to create an elegant-looking brochure or flyer but can’t afford process printing. Using duotones in a design can improve the appearance without adding to the cost. Grayscale images lack the saturated, rich look of sepia or silver duotones, while duotones printed with more vibrant colors can pack a visual punch.
Most graphics programs have a feature that allows you to create a duotone image. A magnified duotone reveals that the accent color isn’t actually an accent. The second color completely saturates the image in a duotone, changing every pixel. These programs also let you experiment with hue and saturation to create a striking or simple image. While black and another color are commonly used in duotones, any color combination could be used depending on the desired effect.
In some cases, the look of a duotone is preferred over plain black and white photography because the duotone is more saturated and compelling. Duotones have a more textured appearance to them, and they capture more photographic detail. Duotones can send a subtle but effective message to high-end businesses. They can also be used to achieve a heavily tinted retro look, which is popular in advertising. Duotones have a wide range of applications, and they’re simple to experiment with and print for people with varying levels of graphic design experience.