Question
What is spot color printing and how does it differ from CMYK?
Answer
The two methods reach color from opposite directions. Spot color lays down a single pre-mixed ink for each color, while CMYK builds every color from tiny dots of four process inks. That difference decides how accurate and how flexible each one is.
| Spot color | CMYK process | |
|---|---|---|
| How color is made | One pre-mixed ink per color | Four inks blended as dots |
| Accuracy | Exact and repeatable | Close approximation |
| Best for | Logos, brand colors, specialty inks | Photos, full-color art |
| Metallics / neon | Available | Not possible |
- Spot color is the choice when a color must match every time, like a corporate logo.
- CMYK is the choice when a design has many colors or photographic content.
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