In this article you will learn
- How to add a Spot Color Separation for White, Varnish or Primer to Print Items
- How to change the tint value of an existing Spot Color Separation
- How to reduce the size of an existing Spot Color Separation
1. Introduction
When outputting Print Items on transparent substrates, colored paper or brown cardboard, the Print Item or areas of the Print Item must be under-printed with a type of barrier layer using white or primer. Thereby, the color reproduction is accurate and true to the original data. Additionally, selective areas of a Print Item and the output could be enhanced using a varnish for example.
2. General
The Fixups listed below are located under the Additional Channels selection menu [2], which you will find in the footer of the Spot Colors panel [1] in the Print Data tab.
In this Fixup group, we offer Fixups that enable the user to create a Spot Color Separation, e.g: White, Varnish or Primer as well as changing the size of existing Spot Color Separations or tonal values. Further Fixups related to these topics can be found by selecting the search terms: Spot Color Separation, White, Varnish and by selecting the Create radio button listed in the action panel in the Data Preparation tab.
Figure 1: The settings area Spot Colors with opened Fixup group Additional Channels
3. Fixups in the Additional Channels group
Six Fixups are currently available in the Additional channels Fixup group. These are briefly described below.
3.1. Change Tonal Value for Spot Color
The aim of this Fixup is to change the tint value of an existing Spot Color Separation.
Figure 2: The options of the Change Tonal Value for Spot Color FIxup
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
3.2. Clip existing Separation
The aim of this Fixup is to reduce the size of an existing Spot Color channel in order to eliminate overlapping areas in the print.
Figure 3: The Clip existing Separation Fixup dialog
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
Increase existing Spot Color Separation
In case you would like to increase a Spot Color Separation slightly, do this via the Fixup "Enlarge existing Spot Color Separation". This Fixup is available in the Data Preparation tab.
3.3. Create Spot Color Separation depending on Total Ink Coverage
The aim of this Fixup is to create a Spot Color Separation using the Spot Color White, Varnish or Primer depending on the total ink application in order to reduce ink consumption or to achieve a special printing effect.
Figure 3: Left: Basic Settings tab; Right: Advanced tab in the Create Spot Color Separation depending on Total Ink Coverage Fixup
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
3.4. Create Spot Color Separation to Printed Objects
The aim of this Fixup is to create a Spot Color Separation using the defined Spot Color White, Varnish or Primer only for printed or un-printed objects.
Figure 4: Left: Basic Settings tab; Right: Advanced tab in the Create Spot Color Separation to Printed Objects Fixup
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
3.5. Fill Closed Path with Spot Color
The aim of this Fixup is to create a separation based on the selected path which uses the defined Spot Color with an additional Spot Color such as White, Varnish or Primer.
Figure 5: Left: Basic Settings tab; Right: Advanced tab of the Fill Closed Path with Spot Color dialog
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
3.6. Fill PageBox with Spot Color
The aim of this Fixup is to generate a Spot Color Separation using Spot Color White, Varnish or Primer to the selected PageBox.
Figure 6: Left: Basic Settings tab; Right: Advanced tab in the Fill PageBox with Spot Color Fixup
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
Article update: Workflow 1.21.0 - 07/2025