Select the objects that require [Registration] color using the Selection tool.
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Print objects on all color plates
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to use [Registration] color to ensure objects print on every separation plate during color printing in Adobe InDesign.
Use the [Registration] color when certain elements must appear identically on every separation plate. Objects set to the [Registration] color automatically print on all process and spot plates, helping prevent misalignment during commercial printing. Apply it only to small items, such as trim marks or color bars, since large areas can cause ink overload or paper damage.
Apply [Registration] color to objects
Select Window > Swatches to open the Swatches panel.
In the Swatches panel, select the [Registration] color swatch. The selected objects now display with [Registration] color applied. When you create color separations through File > Print and select Separations or In‑RIP Separations in the Output section, these objects will print on every separation plate, including all process color plates (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) and any spot color plates in your document.
[Registration] color appears as 100% of all inks. Use it sparingly and only for small objects like crop marks or [Registration] targets. Applying [Registration] color to large areas can result in excessive ink coverage, leading to printing problems and wasted ink. [Registration] color should not be confused with a rich black color.
Verify [Registration] color in the Separations Preview panel
Select Window > Output > Separations Preview.
In the Separations Preview panel, select Separations from the View dropdown menu.
Select the eye icon next to individual separation plates to toggle their visibility.
Verify that objects with [Registration] color remain visible regardless of which plates you enable or disable.
This preview confirms that your [Registration] marks will print correctly on all plates. Objects with [Registration] color should appear when viewing any individual plate or combination of plates, while normal-colored objects appear only on their assigned plates.
Tip
Before sending files to your prepress service provider, use Window > Output > Preflight to verify that [Registration] color is applied only to appropriate objects. Large areas of [Registration] color typically indicate application errors.
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