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FLEXOGRAPHY 101

Chapter 1 - A TYPICAL SPOT VS. PROCESS SCENARIO

spotvsprocess1

This art was supplied by a customer. At preflight, pre-press determines that the file was built to separate entirely out of four process colors. Pre-press immediately suggests a spot color for the background red because white type appears to knock out of it. If it was left to print out of four process colors, registration issues on press would likely occur.

spotvsprocess2

For a number of reasons, a customer may not want to add this color. If that's the case, pre-press typically suggests adding a holding rule to all type knocking out to the four color process area. A holding rule is 100% of a color that is already printing- usually black. See below.

spotvsprocess3

Adding a black holding rule around the knocked out type creates a barrier that can now be used for trap. It also solves the clarity problem because it is now 100% of a color and not broken into dot. In some cases the customer will refuse both suggestions. Should this occur, pre-press, sales and customer service have an obligation to educate the customer on press tolerance and the movement likely to occur throughout the process.

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