Spot Color Separation

IN PROGRESS PAGE

Separate out spot colors (as opposed to CMYK)

Used in:

• Silkscreen

• Risograph

Double click screenshots to enlarge them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

METHOD A: PHOTOSHOP

1. Change your image mode

IMAGE > MODE > CMYK

2. Channels

Look in the Channels Menu at the right side. If not visible, Top Menu > WINDOWS > CHANNELS.

3. Make your spot channels

You can either draw something on each channel, or you can separate out channels of a photo using Top Menu > Select > Color Range.

Tip for using select color range:  make sure when selecting subsequent spot colors to only have CMYK channels enabled each time you make a new selection. If you still can’t pick colors, try duplicating the original image.

Make a new spot channel by pressing on the channels menu:

And choosing "New Spot Channel." If you are making a channel from a selection, you have to make the selection BEFORE doing this.

You can pick the corresponding ink color for your spot channel preview (not necessary, but helps visualize your final print)

4. Split Channels

Once you have everything as you like it, save a copy of your image. Now, delete every channel except the spot channels.

Then go back to the Channel Menu > Split channels and then save each individually

METHOD B: ILLUSTRATOR

Illustrator is better for graphic design, or images you have made yourself.

How to add a spot color: https://www.webucator.com/article/how-to-add-spot-color-in-adobe-illustrator/

Our inks and their corresponding spot colors: Riso Ink Colors