What Is a Spot Color in Printing?

A spot color is a specific premixed ink used to reproduce an exact color consistently during printing. Similar to having a custom paint color mixed to a precise formula, spot colors provide a defined color reference for printed graphics.

Spot colors are commonly identified using the Pantone Matching System (PMS), a standardized color system used throughout the printing industry. The terms spot color, Pantone color, and PMS color are often used interchangeably.

At M&M Industries, Dry Offset printing uses spot colors only. In-Mold Labeling (IML) can use spot colors, CMYK colors, or a combination of both.