Color Separation Services for Screen Printing
Press-ready spot color, CMYK process, and halftone/simulated process color separations for screen printers. Files prepared with proper underbase, choke and spread, registration marks, and channel structure — built to produce clean prints on the first run, not after three test pulls.
Three Types of Color Separation
Different print jobs need different separation approaches. Tell us your design and shirt color during the quote — we'll recommend the right type and execute it.
Spot Color Separation
The most common type. Each distinct color in the design becomes a separate screen on press. Designed for solid-color logos, text-based designs, and graphics with clean color boundaries (no gradients or shading).
Typical use: 1-6 distinct solid colors. Logo prints, slogan tees, sport team designs, simple branded merchandise.
CMYK Process Separation
Breaks the design into Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black channels — the standard for photographic and full-color reproduction. Best on white or light garments where the ink colors mix optically to recreate the full range of the original design.
Typical use: Photographic prints, full-color illustrations, complex multi-color images on white shirts.
Halftone / Simulated Process
Uses dot patterns of solid spot inks to reproduce gradients, shading, and photographic detail on dark or colored garments where CMYK doesn't work. The most technically complex type — requires careful underbase and density planning.
Typical use: Detailed illustrations on black/dark shirts, gradient-heavy designs, photo-realistic work where CMYK fails.
Simple, Flat Pricing
$15 per design for most color separation work — covers spot color, CMYK process, and halftone separations. Complex multi-layer designs (8+ separations) or specialty techniques may quote higher. Quote response within 24 hours.
Get a Free QuoteWhat You Get and How It Works
What's Included
- Layered Photoshop PSD with each color on its own channel/layer
- Press-ready film positives output (PDF/TIFF, 300 DPI+)
- Underbase white separation for dark garments
- Choke and spread settings for clean registration
- Registration marks and trap details where needed
- Pantone color callouts on every separation
- Free unlimited revisions until press-ready
Source Files We Need
Best results from vector source files:
- Vector preferred: AI, EPS, SVG, vector PDF
- High-res raster: PSD, TIFF at 300 DPI+
- Lower-res: JPG, PNG (we may recommend vector conversion first)
- Pantone codes: if your design has specific brand colors
- Garment color: we need to know shirt color for halftone/process work
Our Process
- You submit artwork + garment color + ink count
- We quote within 24 hours with separation type recommendation
- You approve the quote and provide any color codes
- We separate the design — typically 8-12 hours
- We deliver press-ready files with all components
- Free revisions if anything needs adjustment
Need Vector Conversion First?
Color separation works best from clean vector source files. If your starting artwork is a JPG, PNG, or low-resolution image, our vector art service can convert it to clean vector first ($15) — then we separate it for press. Both services often go together for best results.
Color Separation FAQs
Color separation is the process of breaking down a multi-color design into individual single-color layers — one separation per ink color used in screen printing. Each separation is then output as a film positive (or direct digital file) that becomes a screen on press. Without proper separations, a multi-color design cannot be screen-printed cleanly. The technical work involved (underbase, trap, choke/spread) determines whether the print runs clean on the first pass or needs multiple test pulls.
Spot color works for designs with 1-6 distinct solid colors — most logos and text-based designs. CMYK process breaks the design into Cyan/Magenta/Yellow/Black for full-color photographic prints on white shirts. Halftone or simulated process uses dot patterns to reproduce gradients, shading, and detailed images on dark or colored garments where CMYK doesn't work. We deliver all three types depending on your project — we'll recommend the right one during the quote.
$15 per design flat rate for most color separation work — including spot color, CMYK process, and halftone separations. Complex multi-layer designs requiring 8+ separations, specialty techniques, or detailed retouching may quote higher. Quote response within 24 hours with no obligation.
8-12 hours standard turnaround for most color separations. The longer time vs. our digitizing service (3-5 hours) reflects the technical complexity of preparing files correctly for press — getting underbase, choke/spread, trap settings, and channel structure right takes care. Rush turnaround may be available on request — ask during your quote.
Layered Photoshop PSD with each color as a separate channel or layer, ready to output as film positives. Also delivered as separated PDFs and TIFF files at 300 DPI minimum. Files are press-ready with registration marks, trap settings, and bleed where appropriate. Tell us your shop's preferred output format during the quote.
Yes — though high-resolution vector source files produce the cleanest separations. If you only have a JPG or PNG, we may recommend converting to vector first via our vector art service ($15) before separating. We'll evaluate your source file during the quote and tell you which approach gives the best end result.
Yes. Underbase white separations for printing on dark or colored garments are part of standard color separation work — included in the per-design price. Choke and spread settings are tuned for typical screen printing tolerances; if you need specific values for your shop's setup, tell us during the quote and we'll match them exactly.
Yes. Our separations work with any screen printing setup — automatic presses, manual presses, film positive output, direct-to-screen (DTS) systems. Tell us your screen mesh count, ink type (plastisol vs water-based), and press setup during the quote and we'll tune the separations for your specific workflow.
Ready to Get Press-Ready Separations?
Send us your design, garment color, and ink count. We'll respond within 24 hours with a quote and recommendation.
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