Professional Color Separation Services for Screen Printing in the USA
If you run a print shop or handle artwork for screen printing, you already know how important clean color separation is. When the colors are separated properly, your screens burn clean, your ink layers line up the way they should, and the final print looks sharp.
You send your design. We review the colors, the blends, and the style of art. Then we prepare a file that your screen printing process can run smoothly.
The goal is simple. The file should help you produce prints that look clean and consistent on both light and dark garments.
Simple Artwork
Full-Color Printing
Advanced Artwork
What Color Separation Really Means
Color separation is the process of taking your artwork and breaking it into channels that can be printed one color at a time. Each channel controls its own layer of ink. When your screens are set up correctly, the layers come together to create the final image.
This matters for both simple spot color prints and more involved artwork like simulated process, CMYK photo prints, and index separations. If the separation is done poorly, you may see muddy colors, rough halftones, or misaligned details. When done correctly, the print is clean, smooth, and matches the artwork you started with.
The artwork starts as a full design before being separated.
This channel isolates blue values and prepares ink placement.
The orange tones are extracted to their own printable layer.
Shadows and highlight details become their own print layer.
Our Process: From Your Artwork to Ready Files
Send Your Artwork
You upload your file and let us know what you need. It can be vector artwork, a raster image, or even a lower-resolution file that needs cleanup.
We Prepare the File
We review the artwork and decide which method fits your design. Spot color, CMYK, simulated process, and index separations all work differently. We adjust colors, refine edges, and prepare the artwork for accurate output.
We Separate the Colors
Your artwork is separated into printable channels. This may include halftones, blends, solid fills, or controlled transitions – all organized so you can burn screens without guessing.
You Receive Print-Ready Files
You get the final files in an easy-to-use format. Every channel is labeled clearly so your screen printing setup can run smoothly without confusion.
Color Separation Services We Offer
Spot Color Separation
Great for bold, solid colors and clean logos. Works well for vector artwork and simple prints.
CMYK Separation for Full Color
Used when you need photographic detail or soft gradients. Ideal for artwork that needs realistic tones.
Simulated Process Separation
Often used on dark shirts when artwork includes blends, shadows, and smooth transitions. Produces rich prints with soft detail.
Index Color Separation
Useful when you want predictable results with dot-free separations. Great for certain illustrations or textured artwork.
DTF and DTG File Preparation
Even though these methods print differently, they still benefit from proper channel control, color cleanup, and file formatting.
Vector Conversion & Artwork Cleanup
If your file is low quality or pixelated, we can rebuild it cleanly so the separation produces sharp, accurate results.
Why Print Shops Across the USA Choose Our Color Separation Work
They want files they can trust. They want colors that stay true to the original artwork. They want a workflow that saves them time during setup. And most of all, they want their customers to be happy with the final print.
We prepare every file with all of this in mind. You send the artwork. We handle the separation. You print with confidence.
Clean Results on Both Light and Dark Garments
Different shirt colors behave differently on press, so each job is separated with that in mind. That includes underbase control, highlight layers, halftone adjustments, and blends that work on real fabric.
Consistent Films, Even on High Detail Art
Detailed artwork requires smooth halftones and stable transitions. The channels you receive are arranged in a way that helps you avoid issues like muddy tones or crushed shadows.
Fast Turnaround When You Need It
Production schedules get tight. Shops often reach out when they have a deadline coming up, and we structure our workflow so you can keep your job moving forward.
Pricing That Fits Small Shops and Larger Runs
Whether you print a handful of shirts or handle high-volume production, you get pricing that works for your workload.
Real Projects and Case Studies
Clothing Brand With Soft Blends
A clothing brand out of California needed soft gradients that looked clean on black hoodies. The artwork included tiny blends and layered tones. The separation allowed the printer to hit those blends without losing detail.
Artist Requiring CMYK Accuracy
A digital artist submitted a photo-style design with dozens of subtle tones. We separated the art into CMYK channels that kept skin tones and shadows looking natural.
Local Print Shop With a Rush Order
A small shop had a last-minute event order and needed separations the same day. We prepared the file, organized the channels, and delivered it fast enough for them to burn screens that evening.
Fixing Low-Resolution Artwork
Some clients only have a screenshot or a small JPEG. We rebuild and clean the artwork so the final print looks clean instead of pixelated or muddy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Start Your Color Separation Project?
If you want clean separations that help your prints look their best, you can begin any time.
Upload your artwork.
Tell us what garment and ink system you use.
We prepare and deliver your print-ready files.
Whether you are printing for a clothing line, an event, a school, or a company, our color separation service supports the quality your customers expect.
Upload Your Artwork