KODAK SPOTLESS Software v2.1 – Extended Color Management Solution for Simulating Spot Colors with Process Inks

KODAK SPOTLESS Software is a powerful extended color management solution that enables graphic communications providers to simulate spot colors—such as PANTONE®, HKS®, TOYO®, and DIC®—using standard process inks like CMYK or expanded process color sets . Rather than purchasing, storing, and managing expensive spot color inks for every special color requirement, printers can use SPOTLESS to generate accurate recipes that reproduce the desired color using their existing process ink sets.

The software integrates seamlessly with the KODAK PRINERGY Workflow system, automating the color conversion process at the prepress stage . This automation eliminates the need for native file editing, reformulation, or proprietary inks, delivering the visual impact and brand consistency of spot colors without the production inefficiencies.

Primary Users

KODAK SPOTLESS Software v2.1 is designed for print service providers, packaging printers, prepress professionals, and color management specialists who need to efficiently reproduce spot colors without the associated costs and complexities. It serves professionals who:

  • Seek to reduce printing costs by replacing expensive spot color inks with standard process inks

  • Manage complex packaging and brand color requirements with consistent, repeatable results

  • Eliminate lengthy makereadies, ink changes, and wash-ups associated with spot color press runs

  • Integrate advanced color management directly into their prepress workflow

  • Expand the printable color gamut using multi-color (n-color) process printing

The software is ideal for commercial printers, packaging converters, and flexographic printing operations that need to balance brand color fidelity with production efficiency.

Key Features & Capabilities

Spot Color Simulation with Process Inks

  • Accurate Spot Color Matching: Simulates spot colors from major color libraries including PANTONE® solid coated/uncoated, PANTONE GOE™ System, PANTONE Plus Series, HKS, TOYO, and DIC Color Guide 

  • Automatic Conversion: Processes incoming PDF files containing spot colors and automatically converts them using the configured color library 

  • Expanded Gamut Support: Generates color recipes using four, five, six, or seven process ink combinations to maximize the range of reproducible spot colors 

Workflow Integration

  • PRINERGY Integration: Seamlessly integrates with the KODAK PRINERGY Workflow system, automating color management at the prepress stage 

  • Rules-Based Automation: Supports automated workflows, requiring the Rules-Based Automation license in PRINERGY 

  • Recipe Export Formats: Exports color recipes in formats including KODAK PRINERGY/PRINERGY EVO format (.dat), CSV, tab-separated values (.txt), CGATS.5, and Adobe Illustrator swatch files (.ase) 

Color Library Management

  • Import Formats: Imports spot color libraries from CSV and CGATS.5 files 

  • Factory Libraries: Includes pre-loaded color libraries for major color systems, enabling immediate use 

  • Custom Recipes: Enables creation and management of proprietary color recipes for specific customer requirements

Ink Constraint Control

  • Recipe Optimization: Users can specify ink constraints for color recipes, such as limiting to three or four inks per screen tint build, optimizing for press conditions 

Measurement and Quality Control

  • Supported Instruments: Compatible with X-RITE i1 and i1iO spectrophotometers (unfiltered or UV) for accurate measurement 

  • ICC Profile Creation: Supports proofing simulation ICC profile creation, including flexographic highlight-dot simulation 

Platform and Editions

  • Available Editions: Four-color, n-color (expanded), and Flexo Edition 

  • Hardware Recommendation: Best results achieved with KODAK SQUARESPOT thermal imaging technology and STACCATO screening 

What’s New in KODAK SPOTLESS v2.1

While the v2.1 version represents an incremental update to the platform, the major advancements in the SPOTLESS product line were introduced with Version 2.0:

Expanded Color Capabilities

  • Five- and Seven-Color Recipe Generation: Version 2.0 added the ability to generate recipes using five and seven screen tints, significantly expanding the printable gamut beyond the previous four- and six-color capability 

  • Increased Accuracy: Enhanced accuracy for superior recipe generation, enabling more precise spot color simulation across a wider color range 

Enhanced Flexo Support

  • Flexo Edition: Dedicated edition optimized for flexographic printing, integrated with the KODAK FLEXCEL NX System 

  • Extended Gamut Printing: Enables fixed palette printing with extended process color sets, reducing the need for spot color ink changes on press 

Integration and Compatibility

  • PRINERGY Compatibility: Compatible with PRINERGY Workflow versions 8.0 and later, with specific integration points for automation 

  • ColorFlow Integration: Uses ColorFlow for measurement and color configuration, as documented in Kodak’s training materials 

Process Efficiency Benefits

  • Reduced Makeready Times: Eliminates costly ink changes and wash-ups, significantly reducing press downtime 

  • Cost Savings: Enables shorter print runs with spot colors to be economically viable by eliminating the need for dedicated spot color ink purchases