Spot color: What They’re Used For and How to Create Them

You’ll only need to create a spot color for specific products when the file requires extra information that won’t be printed.

Spot colors are non-printable colors used to indicate special actions on a product, such as custom cut shapes or special finishes.

To ensure your file is print-ready, we recommend downloading the instruction guide available on the product page.

Please note that Designer tool cannot be used to create files with spot colors.

To create a spot color, please follow these steps:

  • Download the instruction guide from the product page and follow the steps using Adobe Illustrator or another vector-based design program.
  • Create a separate layer above your artwork layer and name it exactly as instructed.
  • Open the Swatches panel and either use the swatch provided in the template or create a new one:
  • If creating a new swatch: Name it exactly as shown in the instructions (including correct capitalization). Set the Color Type to “Spot Color” and enter the RGB or CMYK values provided in the instructions.
  • Use the spot color only to identify paths or fill vector shapes in the areas where the special action is needed.
  • Make sure Overprint is turned on for all paths in the dedicated layer
  • Do not use spot colors for design elements that are meant to be printed. Remember: spot colors are technical markers only and they won’t appear in the final print. They’re used to indicate things like custom cuts, special finishes, or white ink on non-white materials.
  • Save your file as a single PDF with all layers visible and active

If you still have questions, please contact us. We're happy to help!

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