Translation guide
A specific premixed ink color used in printing, often from a system like Pantone, as opposed to process (CMYK) colors. This guide covers how to express this concept in Japanese, from technical printing terms to general descriptions of a single distinct color.
The standard term for a spot color in the printing industry, referring to a premixed ink.
The standard technical term for 'spot color' in printing. Literally 'special color'. Used in professional contexts.
このロゴは特色で印刷します。
This logo will be printed with a spot color.
特色を使うと、CMYKでは出せない鮮やかな色を表現できます。
By using spot colors, you can reproduce vivid colors that cannot be achieved with CMYK.
A direct loanword from English, commonly understood in design and printing fields. Slightly less formal than 特色.
スポットカラーで特色を指定してください。
Please specify the spot color as a spot color.
Literally 'special color'. Sometimes used as a synonym for 特色, but less common in technical printing contexts. May be seen in general descriptions.
特別色を使用したパッケージデザイン。
Package design using a special color.
Describing a specific, often premixed or unique color in non-technical contexts, such as art, design, or everyday conversation.
Means 'single color' or 'solid color'. Can be used to describe a spot color in a general sense, though it doesn't carry the full technical nuance of premixed ink.
この部分は単色で塗ってください。
Please fill this area with a single color.
Means 'designated color' or 'specified color'. Often used when a specific color is chosen from a palette or system, similar to a spot color.
指定色はパントン185Cです。
The specified color is Pantone 185 C.
Means 'inherent color' or 'characteristic color'. Can be used to describe a unique, predefined color, but is less common for printing spot colors.
Referring to a color from a standardized matching system like Pantone, which is often used for spot colors.
Specifically refers to a Pantone color. Very common when talking about spot colors from the Pantone system.
パントン色で特色を指定する。
Specify the spot color using a Pantone color.
Refers to a color from the DIC color guide, a common Japanese color matching system. Used similarly to Pantone in Japan.
DICカラーで色を選ぶ。
Choose a color from the DIC color guide.
Both mean 'spot color'. 特色 is the native Japanese term and is more formal. スポットカラー is a loanword and is often used in casual conversation among designers. In official documents or specifications, 特色 is preferred.
Do not translate 'spot color' as 点色 (てんしょく) or 斑点色 (はんてんしょく). These are not used in printing and would be confusing.
ブランドの固有色を決める。
Decide on the brand's signature color.