In this article, you will learn
- which prerequisites must be met for this Fixup, and
- how to apply this Fixup.
1. Introduction
The $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW application provides the Create a Spot Color Separation for objects using the selected Spot Color Fixup. The purpose of this Fixup is to create a Spot Color Separation for a selected Spot Color.
2. General
The Create a Spot Color Separation for objects using the selected Spot Color Fixup can be used to create a Spot Color Separation for a selected Spot Color in the print file.
Use this Fixup, for example, to create a Primer, Varnish or White channel for all objects using the selected Spot Color, thereby enhancing the appearance of the individual colors. You can also use this Fixup to duplicate an existing White channel for HP printing systems.
You can find this Fixup in the Data Preparation tab of an Article, Order or Production Job by:
- entering the name of the Fixup in the Filter area,
- enabling the Color option in the Category area,
- enabling the Create option in the Action area,
- enabling the White or Spot Color option in the Property area.
3. Description
This Fixup can be used to create a Spot Color Separation for the selected Spot Color. An spread or choke can be applied. by specifying the desired size, and the tint value and opacity can also be adjusted. In addition, the user can choose whether or not to fill the area enclosed by the Spot Color path.
3.1. Prerequisites and Functionality
For the Fixup to perform as intended, the following condition must be met:
- The file contains objects that are filled with a Spot Color.
Figure 1: The Create a Spot Color Separation for objects using the selected Spot Color dialog
The following options can be used to create a Spot Color Separation for a selected Spot Color:
- Templates [1] – the settings selected in the dialog can be saved as a template and subsequently applied to other Articles/Print Items, used within Fixup Chains, and applied in the Apply Fixups and Check Print Item and Apply Fixups operations.
- Spot Color [2] – select from the drop-down menu the Spot Color for which a Spot Color Separation is to be created. All Spot Colors used in the Print Item are available for selection.
- Create Spot Color Channel [3] – select from the drop-down menu the Spot Color to be used for the Spot Color channel. The drop-down menu provides all Spot Colors defined system-wide that can be output as a separation.
- Adjust Size [4] – enter the desired value to create the Spot Color Separation larger ("+" values) or smaller ("-" values) than the printing object itself. For the Variable Content [8], select the desired placeholder – Database Field or User-defined Field – from which the value for the size adjustment should be retrieved.
- Tint Value [5] – the tint value of the Spot Color channel to be generated can be reduced by moving the slider or entering a percentage value.
- Opacity [6] – the opacity of the Spot Color channel to be generated can be reduced by moving the slider or entering a percentage value.
- Fill whole object [7] – when this option is enabled, a separation is generated for all objects within the selected Spot Color. For example, if an outline is selected as the Spot Color, a Spot Color Separation is generated for all objects within the outline.
3.2. Before/After
To experiment with this function, you can use the sample file "Sample_Create Separation for Spot Color.pdf". The Print Item consists of a bouquet of flowers, most of which are daisies. The inner orange part of the daisies was defined as a Spot Color. A primer is to be applied to these areas to enhance the appearance of the printed color.
After applying the Fixup, the file "Sample_Create Separation for Spot Color_End.pdf" is generated. In this example, a separation using the "Primer" color was created for the orange areas of the flowers.
Figure 2: Left: Original file; Right: Modified file with the Primer Spot Color Separation created
Article Update: $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW 2.3.0 – 09/2026