Spotvärvi

Spotvärvi, also known as spot color, is a printing technique where specific colors are applied using pre-mixed inks rather than relying on the combination of primary colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) to create a wide spectrum of hues. In traditional CMYK printing, all colors are simulated by overprinting dots of these four process colors. Spot colors, on the other hand, are individual inks with their own unique formulations, ensuring a precise and consistent color representation.

The primary advantage of using spot colors is color accuracy and consistency. If a specific shade of blue is required, a spot color ink, like a particular Pantone shade, can be mixed to match that exact hue. This is particularly important for branding, where logos and corporate identities often depend on precise color matching. When printing with spot colors, the printer uses separate printing plates for each color used. This means if a design uses three spot colors, three separate passes through the printing press will be required, one for each color.

While spot colors offer superior color fidelity, they can increase printing costs and complexity. This is because each spot color requires its own ink and a dedicated printing plate. For designs with many colors, the cost and time involved can become prohibitive. Therefore, spot colors are typically reserved for designs where color accuracy is paramount and the number of colors is limited. They are commonly used for corporate logos, packaging, and high-end print materials where exact color reproduction is essential.