How to Create Custom Spot Colors in CorelDRAW

This guide explains how to define, save, and manage custom spot color swatches in CorelDRAW for accurate professional printing. You will learn how to create a dedicated custom color palette, configure a new color swatch as a spot color, define its visual values, and apply it directly to your vector artwork.

Step 1: Open the Palettes Docker

  1. Launch CorelDRAW and open your project.
  2. Go to the top menu and select Window > Dockers > Palettes (or Color Palettes in older versions).
  3. The Palettes docker will appear on the right side of your workspace.

Step 2: Create a New Custom Palette

Spot colors cannot be permanently added to locked, default system palettes, so you must create a custom palette to store them:

  1. In the Palettes docker, click the + (plus icon) or the palette options menu.
  2. Select New empty color palette.
  3. Choose a save location on your computer, enter a name for your palette (e.g., "Custom Spot Colors"), and click Save.
  4. Check the box next to your new palette in the docker to keep it active and visible on your screen.

Step 3: Add and Define the Spot Color Swatch

  1. In the Palettes docker, select your newly created palette.
  2. Click the Palette Editor button (represented by an edit/pencil icon).
  3. In the Palette Editor dialog window, click Add Color.
  4. Select a base color using the color wheel or enter specific values (such as CMYK or RGB) to establish the on-screen display appearance of your color.
  5. In the Color properties section, locate the Treat as dropdown menu.
  6. Change the option from Process to Spot.
  7. Enter a distinct, clear name for your color in the Name field (such as "Custom Metallic Gold" or "Varnish"). Screen printers and prepress RIP software rely on this exact name to generate separate plates.
  8. Click OK to close the editor and save the swatch to your palette.

Step 4: Apply and Verify the Spot Color

  1. Select an object on your canvas.
  2. Left-click your new swatch on the palette to apply it as a fill, or right-click to apply it as an outline.
  3. To confirm the object uses a spot color, look at the Status Bar at the bottom of the screen. A spot color swatch is designated by a small dot inside the color preview square.
  4. You can also verify the color separation by going to File > Print, selecting the Color tab, choosing Separations, and confirming that your custom spot color appears on its own dedicated printing plate.