Swatch Type
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Define and manage color assets
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Advanced color techniques
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Swatch types
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn about the different Swatch types available in Adobe InDesign.
Use the Swatches panel to store colors, gradients, and tints for consistent use in your document. Swatches let you update colors across your design quickly and help ensure accurate printing. Create swatches for colors you use often so you can reuse them easily throughout your document.
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Description |
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Colors |
Used for defining process or spot colors for printing. |
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Tints |
Used for creating lighter versions of a base color as percentages. |
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Gradients |
Used for creating smooth linear or radial color transitions. |
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None |
Used for removing fill or stroke. Cannot be edited or deleted. |
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Registration |
Used for printing objects on every separation from a PostScript printer. Cannot be edited or removed. |
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Black |
Used for applying a built-in 100% CMYK process black that overprints underlying inks by default; cannot be edited or removed. |
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Paper |
Used for simulating the paper color in print previews. Cannot be removed and does not print on composite printers or in color separations. |
Tip
If the Paper swatch does not display or print as expected on a non-PostScript printer, switch the printer driver to Raster Graphics mode. You can also add colors from any color library to the Swatches panel and save them with the document.
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