Spot Colour vs Full-Colour Printing on Ribbon | Ribbon Place

When you order custom printed ribbons, you will usually choose between two main options: Spot Colour printing or Full-Colour printing. Here’s a simple explanation of the difference so you can easily decide which one is right for your project.
 

Spot Colour Printing

Spot colour printing uses solid, ready-mixed colours (a bit like choosing paint colours from a chart). Each colour is printed cleanly and brightly on its own. We can print up to 6 different solid colours on one ribbon.
 
Best for:
  • Logos
  • Writing and text
  • Simple designs
  • When you need exact brand colours
spot colour print vs full colour digital printing explained

Full-Colour Printing

Full-colour printing can create almost any colour, including photographs and designs with lots of different shades. It works by using a special digital process that allows many colours and soft colour changes (like in a photo).

Best for:

  • Photographs
  • Designs with many colours
  • Pictures that have shading or gradients

Quick & Easy Comparison

 
Spot Colour
Full-Colour
Number of colours
Up to 6 solid colours
Many colours (including photos)
Look of the colours
Bright and solid
Great for photos and detail
Best used for
Logos and text
Pictures and colourful designs
Colour matching
Excellent
Very good

Which One Should You Choose?

  • Choose Spot Colour if your design is mostly logos or writing and you want bright, solid colours.
  • Choose Full-Colour if your design has photos or lots of different colours and shades.

Not sure which is best?
Just send us your design and we will tell you which printing method will give you the nicest result.