In the printing world, spot colors are an integral part of what makes a print job both aesthetically pleasing and functional. These colors can be used to make any color not available in an ink printer’s standard array. They are also the key to delving into something more special, like using fluorescent inks for outdoor fading or digital printing prints with various shiny coatings.
But what are spot colors, exactly?
Spot colors are a specific type of ink that includes dyes, inks and toners. They are also referred to as solid printing inks compared to the more general printing process. They can be divided into four main categories, water-based, solvent-based, wax and powder, and digital. Since they are based on dyes and ink pigments, spot colors are often used with other printing methods such as gravure or screen printing.
Spot colors can be manufactured through a variety of methods. These include screen printing, using a screen or stencil, inkjet, gravure and offset lithography. Screen printing is the most common and inexpensive method to produce spot colors.
Why do manufacturers make spot color inks?
Since spot colors come in a wide assortment of hues and shades ranging from slightly faded to intense solid tones, they are ideal for several design applications. For example, these colors can be used for logo creation and full-color pictures and illustrations. This type of color output is also perfect for seasonal themes that may only call for a few tones of a specific color.
Unlike ink, which is generally used for the printing of photographs, spot colors are often used to make up special papers and materials such as fabrics, stamps, countertops and signs. They can also be used for decorative applications such as murals or decorative gift wrapping.
Spot colors can also be applied to a wide array of surfaces when mixed with other inks. They are also ideal when combined with other types of toners that are printed on various surfaces. The result is anything from a calendar or flyer to a T-shirt or corporate letterhead.
Spot colors are also perfect for businesses that send out invitations and greeting cards. They can also be used for wrapping paper, calendars and layouts in magazines or newspapers.
When it comes to the printing process, spot colors are often applied as part of an overall color scheme.
Conclusion
To sum it up, spot colors are one of the many tools that printers, designers and businesses can use to produce attractive and rich design projects. They are also useful in mixing with other dyes and pigments when creating a long-lasting dye solution.
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