Partnering with a professional printing company gives you access to a huge number of printing options. This is exciting but might also mean that you need more knowledge in order to choose the best printing option for your specific project. Sometimes, professional printing might use terms that you might not be familiar with; one of these important printing terms is “spot color printing.”
That’s where this article comes in. If you’re not sure what this means or whether it’s the right choice for your printing project, we understand, and we’re here to help. We’ll explain everything you need to know about spot color printing, including what it is, the benefits of using it, and the ways that it can improve your printed materials.
What Is Spot Color Printing?
Spot color printing consists of mixing individual ink colors for a print job. This process is used in offset printing. The colors are standardized, typically according to the Pantone Matching System (PMS), which ensures that you receive the exact colors you’re looking for and that you’ll receive the same colors every time you order your printed materials.
Spot color printing is also used for screen printing, as it relies on specific color inks that are then transferred to the material, such as a shirt that is being printed.
For comparison, the other main category of printing is process color printing. Process color printing consists of using dots in four colors — cyan, magenta, yellow, and black — in order to approximate all the colors in your printed materials. Process color printing can create a wide range of colors but not every single color, so it is slightly more limited.
The Benefits of Spot Color Printing
Both spot color and process color printing are common methods and have their own advantages. Spot color printing offers a range of great qualities that might make it the right choice for your print project. Here are some of the most significant benefits of spot color printing:
- Spot color printing allows for additional colors beyond what process color printing can provide. The colors are highly customizable, giving you the ultimate control over how your products look.
- Due to the fact that colors are mixed into solid ink, spot color printing allows for high-quality printing, high definition, solid colors, and crisp lines.
- Spot color printing allows for consistency across the printing process. By using formulas for each color of ink and repeating the formula each time you order copies, you receive the exact same colors every time. This is particularly important for branding, as you want your logo and branding color accuracy to be on point.
- Spot color can even be combined with process color printing to create new colors and add nuances to the colors.
All in all, professional spot color printing gives you the largest amount of control over your printed products and creates the highest quality printed materials. It’s a top printing method that helps you boost your image and professionalism through color matching.
Spot Color and Marketing Collateral
Marketing consists of presenting the best possible image of yourself to the world. Spot color printing helps you build that image and create impressive marketing materials that represent you and your business well.
Some of the marketing materials that have the most to gain from spot color printing include:
- Business cards
- Greeting cards
- Envelopes
- Letterhead
- And more!
In short, marketing items containing one or a few ink colors are great fits for spot color printing. Spot color printing is crisp and precise, which makes the best impression on recipients.
Branding and Design Options With Spot Color Printing
As you’re developing your marketing collateral and company logos, remember some of the branding and design choices that work best with spot color printing. Here are some ideas to keep in mind.
Color Selections
Choosing the spot color or colors for your print materials can make or break your design. Pick colors that fit your company’s branding, and use color theory that helps you achieve your marketing goals and represent your product or service well.
Deciding on colors — and the design process as a whole — can feel overwhelming. If you’d like help picking the most effective colors for your specific print project, feel free to ask a professional printing company for advice.
Keep It Simple
The printing is high quality, the lines are crisp, and the colors are beautiful. There’s no need to decrease your materials’ impact by cluttering them with too many design elements. When you make your design minimal and understated, your customers will get much more out of your materials.
Be Consistent
A central pillar of marketing is consistency. Use the same fonts, color range, and style guidelines for all of your marketing materials. This ensures that prospects have the same excellent experience in every interaction with your brand. It also makes printing easier and more affordable, as you’re using the same consistent colors in most or all of your print materials.
Spot Color Printing With The Print Authority
Now that you know a thing or two about spot color printing, you’re ready to decide if it’s the right option for your print materials. If so, or if you want to learn more, get in touch with The Print Authority! As experts in spot color printing for over 30 years, we can help you represent your business well in print. To receive the print materials your company needs, contact The Print Authority to get started!
