How to Set Up Spot Varnish in CorelDRAW

Setting up spot varnish artwork in CorelDRAW requires creating a dedicated spot color, isolating the varnish elements onto their own layer, and applying an overprint setting. This guide walks you through defining a custom spot color, duplicating your design elements, enabling overprints to prevent artwork knockout, and exporting a production-ready PDF for your print service provider.

1. Create a Custom Spot Color Palette

Printers read spot varnish through a specifically named spot color swatch rather than standard CMYK or RGB values.

  1. Go to Window > Color Palettes > Palette Editor.
  2. Select an active document palette or create a new user palette, then click Add Color.
  3. Choose a high-contrast process color (such as 100% Magenta or 100% Cyan) so the varnish areas are clearly visible while designing.
  4. Set the color Treat as property to Spot.
  5. Name the color according to your printer's specifications (common names include Varnish, Spot Varnish, or UV).
  6. Click OK to save the swatch.

2. Create a Dedicated Varnish Layer

Isolating the varnish ensures easy management and editing without altering the underlying artwork.

  1. Open the Objects docker (Window > Dockers > Objects).
  2. Click the New Layer icon at the bottom of the docker.
  3. Rename the layer to Spot Varnish or UV Varnish.
  4. Ensure this layer is placed at the top of the layer stack.

3. Apply the Spot Color to Your Elements

Define the precise areas where the finish will be applied.

  1. Select the vector shapes, text, or outlines that require varnish.
  2. Copy the elements (Ctrl + C) and paste them (Ctrl + V) directly onto the newly created varnish layer in the exact same coordinates.
  3. Apply your newly created spot color swatch as the fill and/or outline of these elements.
  4. If using vector shapes with complex transparencies, simplify or flatten them into solid vector shapes, as spot varnish plates require 100% solid coverage unless specified for tonal/screened varnish.

4. Enable Overprint

By default, top-layer objects knock out (erase) underlying colors on printing plates. Enabling overprint forces the printer to output both the underlying CMYK design and the top varnish layer.

  1. Select the objects on the varnish layer.
  2. Right-click the object and select Overprint Fill.
  3. If the object has an outline that requires varnish, right-click and select Overprint Outline.
  4. To verify, go to View > Simulate Overprints to confirm the varnish overlays your artwork without removing the color beneath it.

5. Export to PDF

Export the design ensuring the spot color channels remain intact.

  1. Go to File > Publish to PDF.
  2. In the PDF settings dialog, select an industry-standard preset such as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4.
  3. Go to the Color tab.
  4. Set Output colors as to Native to ensure spot colors are not converted to CMYK process colors.
  5. Verify that your custom varnish color appears in the separations list before saving the file.