How spot colour works

For everyday printing, tiny dots of process inks in four colours – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black) – are combined to produce a wide range of required colours. However, there are certain colours that cannot be accurately reproduced using this process. We understand that organisations shouldn’t be limited to approximating a colour. Especially if that colour is strongly identified with your brand. On our lithographic presses, we can add a spot colour in the exact shade that you are after.

Pantone colour matching

Pantone colour matching

The Pantone colour matching system is a standard reference that is used all over the world to ensure that colours are consistent no matter where they are printed or what they are printed on. The Pantone system features many colours that cannot be reproduced using the CMYK method. Designers may limit their colour palette accordingly – but they don’t have to if they use a printer that can accommodate spot printing. We can use the fifth plate in our printing presses to apply an ink that exactly matches any colour defined by Pantone.

More available colours

CMYK printing is more than adequate in many circumstances. However, if you have chosen a colour to make your brand stand out from the competition, then you don’t want to approximate that colour! Spot colour allows you to extend your colour range, use more vivid oranges and greens, add luminescent colours and metallic colours, or apply varnishes to specific areas of your printed materials.

Other finishes

Binding Binding

Stitching, sewing and binding printed materials into multi-page volumes.

 Die Cutting Die Cutting

Cutting basic shapes and marking precision creases.

 Embossing/Debossing Embossing/ Debossing

Designs and lettering pressed into paper and card, so they appear in relief/intaglio.

 Foil Blocking Foil Blocking

Apply metal foil to a surface to highlight lettering or make a striking design.

 Lamination Lamination

A thin film of plastic is bonded to the whole page.

 Laser Cutting Laser Cutting

Cutting intricate designs and patterns into paper or card.

 Spot Colour printing Spot Colour printing

Combine 4-colour process with a spot colour in a single print run.

 Spot UV varnish Spot UV varnish

High gloss finish applied to specific areas of the page.

Contact us

From the Colour Print printworks in Norwich, we print and fulfil orders throughout the UK.

Get in touch to chat about your latest print project.
Call us on 01603 488001, email sales@col-print.co.uk or fill out this contact form and someone from our team will be in touch.