In this article, you will learn
- how to delete Spot Colors,
- how to rename and convert a Spot Color,
- how to check the overprint state of a Spot Color.
1. Introduction
For a variety of reasons, Spot Colors are often used in print files. It is very important to handle Spot Colors correctly in digital printing. The Workflow therefore includes a number of Fixups that can be used to edit and convert Spot Colors, among other things.
2. General
The Fixups listed below can be found in the Spot Colors Tools [2] selection menu, which is located in the footer of the Spot Colors [1] settings area on the Print Data tab of the Print Item Detail view.
The Fixups in this group can be used to delete Spot Colors, change the overprint status of the Spot Color, rename the Spot Color and convert the Spot Color to CMYK (alternative color values).
Figure 1: The Spot Colors settings area with the Fixup group Spot Color Tools expanded.
3. Fixups in this Fixup Group
There are currently three Fixups available in the Spot Color Tools Fixup group. These are described briefly below.
3.1. Change Overprint-State of a Spot Color
This Fixup changes the Overprint state of a selected Spot Color. This allows you to set Spot Colors to Overprint or Knockout regardless of their previous Overprint state. If a Spot Color has no Overprint state, this Fixup can assign one.
Figure 2: The Fixup dialog Change the Overprint-State of a Spot Color
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
3.2. Remove Spot Colors
This Fixup aims to delete a selected Spot Color. All objects colored with the respective Spot Color will also be deleted by this Fixup. The desired Spot Color can be selected either from a list or by entering a RegEx expression.
Figure 3: The Fixup dialog Remove Spot Colors
For a detailed description regarding the functionality of this Fixup and an example file please refer to the linked description.
3.3. Rename, Convert or Remove Spot Colors
This Fixup renames or deletes selected Spot Colors. It can also convert the respective Spot Color to CMYK (alternative color values). These alternative color values can also be changed using this Fixup. Since a Technical Color is basically also a Spot Color, but one that has been assigned a type, Technical Colors can also be edited using this Fixup.
Figure 4: The Fixup dialog Rename, Convert or Remove Spot Colors
For a detailed description regarding the functionality of this Fixup and an example file please refer to the linked description.
Artikel update: Workflow 1.21.0 – 07/2025