Spot colour

Spot colour printing involves applying a specific, pre-mixed ink to a substrate, distinct from the standard CMYK process inks. Unlike process printing, which simulates colours by overlaying cyan, magenta, yellow, and black dots, spot colour uses a dedicated plate for each unique hue. This method allows printers to reproduce exact shades that may fall outside the standard CMYK gamut, such as vibrant neon oranges, deep metallics, or specific corporate brand identities.

Each spot colour requires its own printing pass and plate, increasing setup complexity but ensuring high colour fidelity. It is frequently used in business card design to create strong visual contrast or to match a logo’s precise hex code. While process inks rely on optical mixing, spot inks provide solid, opaque coverage that often results in a richer, more durable finish.