spotcolor

Spot color is a printing color produced by a single ink used in addition to or instead of the standard process colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). In design files, a spot color is defined as a named color that maps to a specific physical ink and remains separate from the CMYK separations.

Spot colors are used to achieve color-critical results, such as corporate logos, brand guidelines, or special effects. They provide consistent reproduction across print runs and presses. Common systems include Pantone and other proprietary palettes, as well as metallic, fluorescent, or pearlescent inks, and varnishes.

In production workflows, designers assign spot swatches to appropriate objects in design software. On press, each spot color requires its own printing plate. A job may use one or more spot colors alongside process colors, or may be converted to CMYK for cost reasons.

Limitations include added cost and setup time for additional ink channels. Not all digital printers support true spot inks; some simulate them through color management or post-process finishing. Accurate spot color reproduction depends on ink formulation, substrate, and press conditions, and is typically verified with proofs.