Spot Colors & Expanded Gamut Printing

This chapter considers the specification and management of spot colors which are often used in addition to CMYK process color inks. It shows how the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM® (PMS) can be used to reproduce spot colors. The PMS consists of three components ‐ fan books called Guides, Digital Color Libraries in software, and an ink formulation system. If a digital file contains a spot color element, there are different ways to create the requested color. Depending on the available workflow and equipment options a spot color can be: retained as is and printed using a single spot color ink converted to CMYK and printed using process colors. The chapter describes different workflows for managing spot colors via an inkjet RIP or a digital press digital front end. It also introduces an important new area in color reproduction called expanded gamut printing. There are many software solutions that deal with spot colors and expanded gamut printing.