Index Colour Separation
Index separation prints using a fine grid of tiny solid-colour squares, each at 100% ink density. No halftone dots — fully opaque, no moiré risk, and highly versatile across garment colours.
Get a QuoteWhy choose index?
Index is the preferred method when a design needs to print on many different garment colours, or when you need maximum ink opacity without worrying about moiré from halftone angles.
Grid size and resolution
The grid size (typically 25–55 lpi equivalent) determines the visible resolution of the print. We choose the grid to suit your mesh count and the level of detail in the artwork.
What Is Index Separation?
Index separation converts the artwork into a limited palette of solid colours, then arranges them in a fine grid pattern. Unlike AM halftone, there are no graduated dot sizes — each grid cell is a single, solid block of one colour ink.
Because the squares are solid, every ink deposit is fully opaque. This makes index separation ideal for printing on a range of garment colours — the same separation can often be printed on both light and dark shirts with only an underbase adjustment.
There are no halftone angles to worry about, which means no moiré patterns — a common challenge with simulated process or CMYK separations.
Best For
- Designs that need to print on multiple garment colours
- Artwork requiring fully opaque ink coverage
- Specialty ink applications (metallics, UV, discharge)
- Jobs where AM halftone moiré is a recurring issue
What We Deliver
- Index-separated channels at your specified grid size
- Optimised palette reduction for colour accuracy
- Underbase channel for dark garment printing
- Solid 100% density on every channel — no gradients
- Ready for direct-to-screen or film output