CMYK layout order

Hi Printers,

Does the CMYK color bars on the sheet edge show the color layout order? Which color was first and which was last? I always thought the layout order was 1st Cyan, 2nd Magenta, 3rd Yellow, 4th Black. But seems like it is not the case.

I am using an additional Violet spot color (instead of magenta) to enhance the blue saturation . But find that some of the black nuances get knocked out by the Violet spot color as this color is laid out the last. I may have to switch the Violet color before the K (black) so that it won’t fade the K punches. Any inputs or opinions are welcome.

 

Any closed loop inking system is going to require not only a very specific order but a specific template. These should be consider hard and fast rules that are not negotiable.