It happens a lot when graphic designers uses one special color for the printing of their creations. And, that one special color, usually is a Solid Color which we printers will generate and print as either mixed or pure ink being printed in a single run. The only difference between spot color and normal offset colors is: Spot Color will only be printed in a single run using that specific mixed or pure ink, where as normal offset colors will be printed overlapped using CMYK colors.

Spot colors offers a certain point of advantages. You are able to have a special color code being used for your own branding purpose only. For example, there are a lot of major brands in the world who has trademark and registered colors which belongs to them only. For instance, Coca-Cola’s red, Ikea’s blue and yellow, Petronas’s Green, and etc. Due to color patents and consistency of printing, you may also create your own brand colors like how the major brands do!

In the case that you already have a spot color for your prints, the next question is: How am i going to print it? If i were to submit it as a normal offset print job, will my printer get confused and process it as CMYK job? Below is our illustrations for your better understanding on how printers and pre-press processing technicians like us reads your artwork.

In Case of 1 Spot Color Printing

Below is the exact artwork that you wish to proceed for printing.

If you wish to print the artwork as per above, you will need to indicate the actual color of your artwork by keeping a remark together with your submission. For example, you can mention the color code (usually for Pantone Color), or the color name (if it is a standard colour). In the illustration above, Green

For submission purpose, you are to prepare another artwork which the spot color printed area is being represented in Black. Refer to illustration below for color representation guide.

Hence, there will be two files that you need to submit if there is spot color. Firstly, it is the exact artwork file, and secondly, the spot color artwork being represented in Black.

In Case of 2 Spot Color Printing

Below is the exact artwork that you wish to proceed for printing.

Again, if you wish to print the artwork as per above, you will need to indicate the actual color of your artwork by keeping a remark together with your submission. For example, you can mention the color code (usually for Pantone Color), or the color name (if it is a standard colour). In the illustration above, Green, and Orange.

For submission purpose, you are to prepare another artwork which the spot color printed area is being represented in Black, and Magenta. Refer to illustration below for color representation guide.

In case there is more than 2 Spot Color Printing

If there is more than 2 Spot Color Printing, you to repeat the steps above, by using C, M, Y, K or etc to represent each spot color to be printed.

The Reason Being

You may be asking, what is the purpose of doing such additional job? Can’t the printers understand that it is a Spot Colour? Well, actually, printers hardly can understand that your artwork have a spot color. Printers always will process your jobs as CMYK layout jobs whenever there is a colorful job. Hence, to help us on the quality control and printing procedures, the steps above will largely reduce the risk of printers by processing the wrong layout for your job, and lastly being reflected on the color accuracy on the prints.

With all the illustrations above, you should be able to get a clear understanding about Spot Color Printing, and the difference between Spot Color and CMYK Printing. If you wish to know more about Color Setting, here is an article that you might consider reading. If you find the article useful, feel free to sign up or subscribe to our website, so you are able to keep updated to all promotions and new products available in our website. Printoka Malaysia will always be glad to assist you in your printing needs. Find out more at Printoka.com