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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 may a fee associated with color separation depending on the art file and design.

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

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!

# OF COLORS: 1 (2 on colored garments)

Screen_Printing_Color_Separation_One_Color_Sharprint_RogueElephant

Thanks to Roguelephant! A very cool logo
for an example of one color artwork!

Screen_Printing_Color_Separation_One_Color_Sharprint_SanghaRising

Thanks to our friends at Sangha Rising for
the graphic example of one color printing.
Check out their cool art wearables!

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.

# OF COLORS: Up to 12 depending on garment type and color, and order quantity.

Screen_Printing_Color_Separation_Spot_Color_Sharprint_Chicago

Screen_Printing_Color_Separation_Spot_Color_Sharprint_Josh Saathoff_Babbletees

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

Spot Color With Halftone

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.

# OF COLORS: Up to 12 depending on garment type and color, and order quantity.

Screen_Printing_Color_Separation_Spot_Color_Sharprint_RogueElephant

Thanks again Roguelephant for a killer
example of spot color with halftone.

Screen_Printing_Color_Separation_Spot_Color_Sharprint_Large

Complex Spot Color

These images are more illustrative or painterly, 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.

# OF COLORS: 5-12

Screen_Printing_Color_Separation_Spot_Color_Complex_Sharprint_MatheusLopes

Thanks to artist Matheus Lopes and
Threadless for this great complex spot
separation! Check out the printed tee!

Screen_Printing_Color_Separation_Spot_Color_Complex_Sharprint_SharpShirter

Thanks Sharp Shirter - Megablast is a killer
tee and a great example of complex spot color
separations!

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. Direct-To-Garment printing may be a better option than 4CP depending on the desired result. Be sure to consult with a sales rep before ording 4CP.

# OF COLORS: 4

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.

# OF COLORS: 8-12

Screen_Printing_Color_Separation_Simulated_Process_Sharprint_Oxen_Threadless

Big thanks to Ian Leino and Threadless for
the simulated print. This t-shirt is hot!

Screen_Printing_Color_Separation_Simulated_Process_Sharprint_IanLeino_Threadless

Thanks to Oxen and Threadless for this
purrrrfect example of simulated process.
Three Keyboard Cat Moon!

Pantone & Textile Screen Printing

Pantone colors are the universal language for communicating specific colors right down to the shade. This language overcomes distances and computer monitors with different calibrations.

This guide is meant to give you an understanding of how screen printing inks relate to Pantone® colors. Fill out the form to the right and download your free guide today!

Pantone_Textile_Screen_Printing_Guide_3D_Image