SCREEN PRINT COLOR SEPARATION

In order to screen print a design on a t-shirt or other garment, the design must be broken down to the individual color components. The process of isolating each color is called color separation.

There are various terms we use to describe the complexity and technical process involved in color separation for a particular design.

One Color
Spot Color
Spot Color with Halftone
Complex Spot Color
Four-Color Process
Simulated Process

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ONE COLOR

There’s really no color separation involved in one color printing. The films and screens look the same as the art file we receive. In this case, just size up the image, add some registration labels and go!

FEES: No separation charges! Possible redraw fees around $35.
# OF COLORS: 1 (2 on colored garments)

Thanks to Roguelephant! A very cool logo for an example of one color artwork!	Thanks to our friends at Sangha Rising for the graphic example of one color printing. Check out their cool art wearables!

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SPOT COLOR

When a design has very basic, solid color fills that are easy to identify, we refer to the separation type as spot color.

FEES: $0 for Illustrator format! Other formats may have fees around $35-$65
# OF COLORS: Up to 12 depending on garment type and color, and order quantity.

	Thanks to artist Josh Saathoff & Babbletees for this beautiful spot color example. Check out the printed t-shirt!

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SPOT COLOR WITH HALFTTONE

This is the next level of difficulty beyond spot color. Designs are simple and utilize halftone shading and/or gradients in limited areas. No complex gradients.

FEES: $0 for Illustrator format! Other formats may have fees around $35-$65
# OF COLORS: Up to 12 depending on garment type and color, and order quantity.

Thanks again Roguelephant for a killer example of spot color with halftone. Check out the printed t-shirt!

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COMPLEX SPOT COLOR

These images are not photorealistic, but incorporate many colors in a complex design. Complex spot color separations are used when designs incorporate 3-D effects, transparency, layering, complex gradients, and other effects along those lines.

FEES: $175-$230
# OF COLORS: 5-12

Thanks to artist Matheus Lopes and Threadless for this great complex spot separation! Check out the printed tee!	Thanks Sharp Shirter - Megablast is a killer tee and a great example of complex spot color separations!

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FOUR COLOR PROCESS

This process mimics an ink jet printer in that cyan, magenta, yellow and black are used for the printing. Color separation using 4 color process is rarely, if ever, used in our shop these days. The print quality and saturation is far superior when we use complex spot color or simulated process. Four color process can only be used when printing on white garments.

FEES: $175
# OF COLORS: 4

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SIMULATED PROCESS

We use simulated process separation on the most complex and/or photorealistic designs. Pantone ink colors using varying halftone percentages are layered to simulate additional ink colors. Blending is enhanced by using wet-on-wet print techniques.

FEES: $230-$320
# OF COLORS: 8-12

Big thanks to Ian Leino and Threadless for the simulated print. This t-shirt is hot!	Thanks to Oxen and Threadless for this purrrrfect example of simulated process. Three Keyboard Cat Moon!