1. How to Prepare a Photo for Spot Color
Printing
In print advertising, using color always captures the public's attention better than a simple black
and white ad. However, with added color also comes added cost. A way to still draw the eye but
in a more cost effective way than running a full color add is to use spot color. With a spot color
ad, the advertiser, the graphic designer or the actual printing company, depending on the
organization, will select one color to include in the ad. The graphic designer and/or the
advertiser then chooses areas in the ad to be highlighted with the spot color, while the rest of
the ad will remain in black and white. To create an ad with effective spot color, you will need to
experiment with the coloring of the ad itself using a design software such as Photoshop.
Photoshop allows you to add touches of color while keeping the rest of the ad black and white.
Instructions
o 1
Open the advertisement in the Photoshop program by clicking "File" then
"Open" and navigating to the appropriate file on your computer.
o 2
Transform the image to black and white by selecting "Image" in the top
toolbar, then "Mode" from the drop-down menu that opens and finally
"Grayscale" from the next drop-down menu. A box will pop up that asks
you if you want to discard the color information. Click "OK."
o 3
Save the ad as a JPEG file and close the document. Reopen the JPEG
document, which should be in black and white. Select "Image" in the top
toolbar, then "Mode" from the drop-down menu that opens and finally
"RGB Color." This allows you to add the spot color to the document.
o 4
Pick a color by clicking in the large, front square at the bottom of the tools
palette on the left hand side of the screen. Click on the desired color from
the color chart that opens.
o 5

2. Click the text tool from the tools palette. Click and drag on the screen to
add a text box. Type in the text box to add text to the photo. The text will
appear in the color you selected.
o 6
Click on the color replacement brush in the tools palette. Adjust the shape
and size of the brush in the toolbar that opens at the top of the screen while
you have the brush tool selected. Click on elements of the picture that you
want to have a spot color with the brush, being carefully to staying within
the lines of the particular object. For example, if you want to color a
sweater on a person in the photo, be sure to only click on the sweater with
the brush tool.
o 7
Save the project as a PDF file, which print companies generally prefer for
printing. Check with the company itself for their preferred file format and
output requirements if you are unsure if they will want a PDF file.
Tips & Warnings
Be sure to stick with only one spot color throughout the entire photo or
advertisement. Additional spot colors will typically either be unsupported by the
printing capabilities or will cost more money to print.
More Resources
 Business Card Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/business-card-
printing.html
 Flyer Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/flyers.html
 Postcard Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/postcards.html
 Poster Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/posters.html
 Banner Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/banners.html
 Brochure Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/brochure-printing.html
 Sticker Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/sticker-printing.html
 Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) Printing
http://www.samedayprinting.com/direct-mail-printing-eddm.html