This tutorial will help you set up a file that requires a 5th Color or Spot Color/Coating. A 5th Color or Spot Color/Coating project is any printed material that requires an additional ink or coating to be applied to the standard 4-color process. Standard printing uses a four color build process to output full color. Process printing builds colors with a standard base of CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). If you require an additional color such as a pantone color match or a metallic ink then a 5th color must be applied. This same process can be used to mix different coating applications for numerous coating options.

*If you are a professional graphic designer then you can skip this process and build an alpha channel. We can output the film using the Alpha channel. This tutorial is intended for clients with a limited knowledge of professional design applications.

Open the file that you want the 5th color to be applied. Once the file is opened select what you would like to have the 5th color applied.

For the image on the right we are going to spot UV the colors so they come out with more vivid colors highlighted by the gloss finish. We're also going to want to spot UV the ModernColorPrinting.com and the "Wholesale to the Public" text. The rest of the card will have a matte finish so the gloss coating will jump off the page. This is great for bringing attention to certain aspects of your marketing piece.

First we're going to select what we want to have spot UV or have a 5th color applied. I have already mentioned what the spot color is going to be so now to the next step. Depending on what graphic application you are using there are several different techniques to get this done. The output will be the same however the time in which you can accomplish this may vary depending on this. You should be done selecting what you want so lets move to step two.

After you've selected the area you want coated, fill in the selection in all black. You can see here that the dress and text are now just black areas. This is then used to create a blanket to use on the coater or is used to output film to create a die for the foil or metallic. The area is black is the only area that will be exposed during the coating process therefore will be the only object coated.

Save this as a separate file and give it a different name like testing_frontSPOT.jpg.

So that's it. Pretty easy, heh? Spot colors and coatings are a great way to stay ahead of the pack. You see people with full glossy cards and you see people with matte cards. How often do you see someone with both? Your marketing piece will get their attention and will be worth keeping.