Photoshop Spot Channel

1. Begin by opening the image you would like to manipulate in Photoshop. Make sure the image you want to use is of high quality. In the Layers menu, select the layer you would like to manipulate and make sure it is not locked. If there is a picture of a lock next to the layer name, simply click on it to remove it.
   

2. Next, select your Magic Wand Tool on the left hand side in the Toolbar. If it is not already there, go to Edit > Toolbar and scroll through the list until you see Magic Wand Tool. We recommend adding it to your Toolbar for future ease of use.
   

3. Begin by making sure the settings for your Tool are as follows: 
   

1. For images where you would like white to be printed in everything except for the background: use the Magic Wand Tool to select the background. Find Select on the top and click Inverse. 
   

2. For images where you would like only certain parts to be white: select those specific parts that you need to be white. You can hold Shift while clicking to select multiple parts at a time.
   

3. Note that you may change the Tolerance of the Magic Wand Tool to whatever number you need for more detailed work; the lower the number, the more control you have over what is automatically selected. 50 is our recommended number for less detailed work such as the example shown. 
   

4. In the lower right menu, next to Layers is a window called Channels. Click on the 4 horizontal lines at the top right of the Channels menu and select New Spot Channel. 
   

5. Select whatever color you would like, this color will not show up in the final print and only serves to make the white Spot Channel visible while you are editing. The entire area where white will print on your final image will be highlighted in the color you choose. In the case of this example, the Spot Channel is green. There will be none of this green in the final print. 
   

6. Name your Spot Channel “W1”. It will not work if it is named anything else. Press Ok.
   
   
   
   
7. Go to File > Save as. Name your file, save it as a TIFF or other vector format such as EPS. Make sure the boxes are checked for Spot Colors and Layers. Press Save.
   

8. In the next window, make your selections as shown below:
   

9. You are now ready to transfer this image to your printer and begin creating your PRN. Note that the image will show on your desktop as being completely white, black, or transparent. This is normal and an indicator that you did everything right. Be sure to test your print to make sure that white is printing in all your intended areas and that you didn’t miss anything such as a space between letters.