How to create a spot color or a "cut contour" in CorelDraw?

Preparing a PDF file in CorelDraw for printing, including color separations and/or trapping, involves several steps. Here's a detailed guide on how to do this.

This documentation was made with CorelDraw 2024 for macOS. Earlier versions or from other operating systems may have the functions in different locations. Feel free to visit the official CorelDraw documentation for more information.

Step 1: Open a New Document

1. Open CorelDraw and create a new document (with CMYK as the Primary color mode).

Step 2: Create a New Palette

1. Create a New empty Color Palette by clicking on the lower + (plus) button (or small triangle icon above the color palette in older versions):
   
   
   
2. Save the new palette in the Palettes folder:
   

Step 3: Add Colors to the Palette

1. Edit the Palette:

   • After creating the new palette, it will appear under the My Palettes menu.
   • Select it, and click on the Pen button to edit it:
     
     
     

2. Open the Palette Editor:

   • The Palette Editor will open. Click Add Color to manually add a new color to your palette:
     
     
     

3. Assign Colors:

   • The Color properties will open. Choose a color you want to use as the Cut Contour or White Spot color.
   • After selecting the color, click OK:
     
     
     

4. Rename and Define as Spot Color:

   • You will brought back to the Palette Editor.
     

       Info

     Other ways to open the Palette Editor are to double-click on the color or go to Window > Color Palettes > Palette Editor.

   • Rename the color as CutContour or White.
   • Set the Treat as an option to Spot Color, then click OK:
     
     
     
   • Now you can see the new color created in the palette. A small white square will appear in its corner, indicating that it is a spot color and will not be printed as CMYK:
     

Step 4: Apply the Spot Color to Your Design

1. Select a Path or Object:
   • Choose the path or object in your design that needs the spot color. In this example, we draw a rectangle.
2. Apply the Spot Color:
   • Right-click on the new spot color you just created to set it as the outline or fill of your object:
     
3. Verify the Spot Color on the path or object:
   • In this example, the spot named "CutContour" is set as the outline color, and the fill is removed, as you can see in the Status Bar (View > Show Status Bar):
     

(Optional) Step 5: Set Overprint for the Spot Color

1. If needed, enable Overprint:
   

     Info

   The Overprint options can be activated for both the outline and the fill of your objects, and this will cause the spot color to print over any other color below it.

   • Select the object with your spot color. In this example, we have a rectangle whose outline has a spot color called “CutContour”.
   • Right-click the object and check the Overprint Outline option. You can also activate the overprint via the Properties Inspector (Window > Inspectors > Properties):
     
   • To verify the overprint option, you will see in the Status Bar (View > Show Status Bar) a small white bar that will appear to the right of the spot color:
     

Step 7: Export the File

1. Export as PDF or EPS:

   • Go to File > Export...
   • Choose a file location.
   • In File Format, choose PDF - Adobe Portable Document Format and click on the button Export...
   • The PDF Settings will open. In PDF preset, choose PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-4:2010 (CMYK), as both support the spot colors export.
     

       Info

     If your design includes complex elements like transparency or shadows, it's safer to use PDF/X-1a to avoid issues during printing. More info.
     It is not recommended to export the file in TIFF or JPG format, as these formats convert the color information into CMYK or RGB (which makes it impossible for CalderaRIP to recognize the spot colors).
     
     

2. Verify the PDF file:

   • After exporting the file, open CalderaRIP.
   • Open the File Manager and locate your file. In this last example, we used a PDF document with an image and two spot colors to enhance the illustration.
   • You will be able to see the info on Spot Colors:
     
     
     • The CutContour spot color is not checked, this means that CalderaRIP uses this color as cut information and not for print (you can change the option to print in the Cutting tab).
     • On the other hand, the White spot color is checked because the software must control the ink for the printer (if it has the option of white ink).