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Graphic Design vocabulary · Colour Theory

Spot colour

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˈspɑːt ˌkʌlər/nounCommon term

In graphic design, spot colour means: A specially mixed ink printed as a single solid colour instead of being built from CMYK dots, used for exact brand colours, metallics and neons. Pantone is the best-known system.

In Turkish: spot renk, Pantone renk, özel renk

How it is used

Used in branding, packaging and print quotes. You specify, use or print a spot colour; brand guidelines give codes like ‘Pantone 485 C’ (C means coated paper, U uncoated). Each spot colour usually adds cost.

Example sentences

  1. The logo is printed in one spot colour so the orange is exactly the same on every product.

  2. Adding a metallic gold spot color will increase the print cost.

Common collocations

  • spot colour printing
  • specify a spot colour
  • Pantone colour
  • two spot colours
  • CMYKCyan, magenta, yellow and key (black): the four ink colours used in most colour printing. Mixing them in small dots creates the full range of printed colours.
  • colour paletteThe limited set of colours chosen for a project or brand, usually with main colours, supporting colours and neutrals, so that all designs look consistent.
  • offset printingA common commercial printing method in which ink is transferred from metal plates to a rubber blanket and then onto paper. It is cost-effective for large quantities.
  • tintA lighter version of a colour made by adding white, or in print by using a percentage of the ink, for example a 20% tint of the brand blue.

More terms: Colour Theory

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