Color separation is the process of dividing an image into the individual color components needed for printing—typically CMYK. This technique became standard in the mid-20th century when offset printing made multi-color reproduction affordable. Before that, colors were applied manually, often with separate printing plates.
Where It’s Used
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Offset and screen printing
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Textile printing
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Any professional print job requiring precise color control
In printing, each color channel (C, M, Y, K) gets its own plate or screen, and the printer layers them to recreate the final image.
Tips
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Use software like Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, or CorelDRAW for precise separations.
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Always check separations in “Separations Preview” before sending to print.
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For spot colors (like Pantone), include them as separate plates in your file.