Spot color channels

To create a spot color channel
To select a spot color channel
To change the properties of a spot color channel
To paste content to a spot color channel
To display or hide a spot color channel
To change the order of spot color channels
To copy a spot color channel
To delete a spot color channel

Spot color channels let you view, edit, and preserve spot color information in files. Whether you are importing a file that uses spot colors or you add spot colors in Corel PHOTO-PAINT, spot color channels ensure that your color information is maintained when you output the file. The spot color is stored in an 8-bit grayscale channel that preserves information such as which spot color to use, where to apply the ink, and at what density.

You can create a new spot color channel, assign a color and name to the channel, and then add content. For example, you can paint, draw shapes, apply effects, or paste content onto the channel. When you paste an object or selection to a spot color channel, it is added as an editable area. You can modify the editable area before you commit it to the spot color channel. For more information about modifying editable areas, see Masks.

When you preview your image, you can choose whether spot colors mix with underlying colors (overprint) or cover underlying colors. This can be used to simulate opaque or transparent inks.

You can also select, edit, and change the properties of existing spot color channels. For example, if you open or import an image that contains spot color channels, you can edit channel content, rename a channel, or change the spot color of a channel. When you view images, you can choose to hide or display the contents of spot color channels or change the order of the channels. You can copy spot color channels between images and you can delete spot color channels when you no longer need them.

Whether you are creating a new channel or editing an existing one, you can add or erase channel content by changing the color for the tool you are using. For example, painting with black applies a solid color, painting with white erases the color, and painting with gray applies a tint of the color.

You can save your work to the CPT file format if you will be doing further editing. You can also save to the PSD file format or export to the DCS, PDF, or EPS file format if you are ready to print.

To create a spot color channel

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1 In the Channels inspector, click the flyout arrow , and choose New spot color channel.
If the Channels inspector is not open, click Window Inspectors Channels.
2 In the New spot color channel dialog box, choose a color from the color picker.
3 Type a name for the channel in the Name box if you do not want to use the spot color name for the channel.
4 From the Ink properties box, choose one of the following options:
• Solid — Colors underneath do not affect the ink color unless the ink density is less than 100 percent.
• Transparent — Colors underneath show through. This option lets you preview overprinting.
5 Enable one of the following options:
• Empty channel — creates an empty channel (no ink applied)
• Fill with color — creates a channel filled with the ink color
6 Click OK.
The new spot color channel appears in the Channel inspector under the current channels. The new spot color channel is displayed and other channels are hidden.

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You can also create a new channel by clicking the New spot color channel button in the Channels inspector.

The Pantone Solid Coated palette is the default color palette, but you can access other palettes from the color picker by clicking Other, and choosing a palette from the Palette list box in the Select color dialog box.

To select a spot color channel

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• In the Channels inspector, click a spot color channel in the Channels list.
A red outline appears around the thumbnail for a channel when the channel is selected.
If the Channels inspector is not open, click Window Inspectors Channels.

To change the properties of a spot color channel

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1 In the Channels inspector, choose a spot color channel from the Channels list.
2 Click the flyout button in the upper-right corner of the inspector, and click Channel properties.
3 In the Spot color channel properties dialog box, perform a task from the following table.

 

To
 
Change the spot color
Choose a color from the color picker.
Rename the channel
Type a name in the Name box.
Change the ink properties
From the Ink properties box, choose one of the following options:
• Solid — Colors underneath do not affect the ink color unless the ink density is less than 100 percent.
• Transparent — Colors underneath show through. This option lets you preview overprinting.

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You can also double-click a spot color channel in the Channels inspector to access the Spot color channel properties dialog box.

To paste content to a spot color channel

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1 Copy an object or selection to the Clipboard.
If you want to copy the object to another image, open the image in which you want to paste the content.
2 In the Channels inspector, select a spot color channel.
3 Click Edit Paste Special Onto Object.
The content appears as an editable area surrounded by a mask (indicated by a colored overlay or a marquee). If you want to edit the area, do so now.
If you want to specify a uniform ink density for the area, Control-click black (for a solid spot color) or Control-click a shade of gray (for a tint), click the Fill tool , and click the editable area.
4 Click Mask Remove.
The pasted content is now committed to the spot color channel.

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Image dimensions and image resolution affect how spot color channel information is pasted between images. For best results, copy and paste spot color channels between images that are similar in image dimensions and are the same image resolution.

To display or hide a spot color channel

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• In the Channels inspector, click the eye icon beside a spot color channel.
The eye appears closed when channel content is hidden; the eye appears open when channel content is visible.
If the Channels inspector is not open, click Window Inspectors Channels.

To change the order of spot color channels

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• In the Channels inspector, click a spot color channel in the Channels list, and drag it to a new position.

To copy a spot color channel

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1 In the Channels inspector, select the spot color channel that you want to copy.
2 Click Edit Copy.
3 Open the image to which you want to paste the spot color channel.
4 Click Edit Paste.
The spot color channel appears at the bottom of the Channels list in the Channels inspector.

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Image dimensions and image resolution affect how spot color channel information is pasted between images. For best results, copy and paste spot color channels between images that are similar in image dimensions and are the same image resolution.

To delete a spot color channel

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1 In the Channels inspector, click a spot color channel in the Channels list.
2 Click the Delete current channel button .

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The features documented in the Help are available in the full version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2021. Some features may not be available in this version of the product.