Editing Spot color (section)

{{Short description|Type of ink or pigment used in printing}}
[[File:RIAN archive 978876 Printing banknotes at Goznak factory in Perm.jpg|thumb|Printing [[Russian ruble#Banknotes|Russian 5,000 ₽ banknotes]] with a metallic spot color]]
In [[offset printing]], a '''spot color''' or '''solid color''' is any color generated by an [[ink]] (pure or mixed) that is printed using a ''single run'', whereas a [[process color]] is produced by printing a series of dots of different colors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pantone.com/help/?t=Process-color-vs.-Spot,-or-solid-color|title=What is the difference between spot and process colors?|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820162600/http://www.pantone.com/help/?t=Process-color-vs.-Spot,-or-solid-color|archivedate=2017-08-20}}</ref> 

The widespread offset-printing process is composed of the four spot colors [[cyan]], [[magenta]], [[yellow]], and [[Keyline|key]] ([[black]]) commonly referred to as [[CMYK]]. More advanced processes involve the use of six spot colors ([[Hexachrome|hexachromatic process]]), which add [[Orange (colour)|orange]] and [[green]] to the process (termed [[Hexachrome|CMYKOG]]). The two additional spot colors are added to compensate for the ineffective reproduction of faint [[Tint, shade and tone|tints]] using CMYK colors only. However, offset technicians around the world use the term ''spot color'' to mean any color generated by a non-standard offset ink; such as [[Metallic color|metallic]], [[fluorescent]], or custom hand-mixed inks. 

When making a multi-color print with a spot color process, every spot color needs its own [[lithographic]] film. All the areas of the same spot color are printed using the same film, hence, using the same [[Lithography#Modern_lithographic_process|lithographic plate]].  The [[dot gain]], hence the [[screen angle]] and [[line frequency]], of a spot color vary according to its intended purpose. Spot [[lamination]] and [[UV coating]]s are sometimes referred to as 'spot colors', as they share the characteristics of requiring a separate lithographic film and print run.