---
type: faq
title: "What is a spot color?"
description: "A spot color is a single premixed ink printed as its own layer, rather than being simulated from tiny CMYK dots. Because the ink is mixed to an exact shade"
resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/what-is-a-spot-color
tags: ["Printing Terms Glossary", "faq"]
timestamp: 2026-07-20T18:54:40.856Z
---

# What is a spot color?

A spot color is a single premixed ink printed as its own layer, rather than being simulated from tiny CMYK dots. Because the ink is mixed to an exact shade

Part of the **Printing Terms Glossary** hub. See [all faq concepts](index.md).

- Page type: faq
- Hub: Printing Terms Glossary
- URL: https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/what-is-a-spot-color