Photoshop

Create a new spot channel

You can create a new spot channel or convert an existing alpha channel to a spot channel.

  1. Choose Window > Channels to display the Channels palette.
  2. To fill a selected area with a spot color, make or load a selection.
  3. Do one of the following to create a channel:

    • Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the New Channel button  in the Channels palette.

    • Choose New Spot Channel from the Channels palette menu.

    If you made a selection, that area is filled with the currently specified spot color.

  4. In the New Spot Channel dialog box, click the Color box. Then in the Color Picker, click Color Libraries to choose from a custom color system such as PANTONE or TOYO and choose a color. See Choose a spot color.
    If you select a custom color, your print service provider can more easily provide the proper ink to reproduce the image.
  5. Enter a name for the spot channel. If you choose a custom color, the channel automatically takes the name of that color.

    Be sure to name spot colors so they’ll be recognized by other applications reading your file. Otherwise the file might not print.

  6. For Solidity, enter a value between 0% and 100%.

    This option lets you simulate on‑screen the density of the printed spot color. A value of 100% simulates an ink that completely covers the inks beneath (such as a metallic ink); 0% simulates a transparent ink that completely reveals the inks beneath (such as a clear varnish). You can also use this option to see where an otherwise transparent spot color (such as a varnish) will appear.

    Solidity at 100% and solidity at 50%

    Note: The Solidity and color choice options affect only the on‑screen preview and the composite print. They have no effect on the printed separations.