Spot Colors

ChromaSpot is a library of Spot colors. 

Spot colors are typically printed using custom ink — which means a dedicated ink formulation. Custom ink requires a printing device capable of using it. Conventional litho presses can do that, and most flexo presses also typically use spot colors. A typical flexo press can have 5-12 units, while litho has 4-6.  

Today, we have many digital printing devices that sometimes have a large color gamut but are incapable of using custom ink. In this case, custom color has to be translated into process build. If the printer is using CMYK, it is based on four channels, but today, more and more printers, especially large-format printers and inkjets, are using more channels like CMYKOVG (O—Orange, V—Violet, G—Green).  In flexo printing, ECG (Extended Color Gamut), the same type of n-CLR process, started replacing traditional spot inks due to the cost and logistic issues with the ink inventory. If it can be replaced with a couple of primaries, thousands of inks change the production economy. Unused inks must be utilized as this product can be stored long. Utilization is expensive, so ECG helps save the planet. The transformation from custom spot inks to process builds is growing.

Proofers

For proofing purposes, we are typically using inkjet printers. By the definition color is created based on process build. All spot colors have to be simulated.