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Spot colors are specially mixed inks that come in a rainbow of colors, including some speciality inks such as metallic and flourescent. Unlike CMYK or process color which creates colors by laying down layer of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black in varying amounts on the printed page, spot colors are pre-mixed and applied individually to the printed page.

Learn how spot colors are specified and used in desktop publishing with emphasis on PANTONE, the dominant spot color printing system in the United States. Other spot color systems include TOYO, DIC, and ANPA. Browse galleries of spot color palettes and tips on designing with spot colors.

Before You Buy PANTONE Color Guides

Used for both process and spot color selection, swatch books are primarily a spot color tool. Learn how they work.

PANTONE Spot Color Name Suffixes

Discover what C U CV M etc. mean at the end of spot color names.

Spot Colors Expand Options in Desktop Publishing

Who needs process colors? Learn easy ways to make colorful designs with just one spot color and black ink.

Spot Color Representations for Spot Varnish

Varnish has no real color but is designated as a spot color in your digital files. Learn how to do it.
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