Open the Swatches panel (Window > Color > Swatches).
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Create and edit tints
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to use tint swatches to generate lighter color variations for efficient spot and process color workflows in Adobe InDesign.
A tint is a lighter (screened) version of a color. It lets you create spot color variations without adding extra ink, making it cost-effective for spot printing. While the tinting process doesn’t reduce printing costs, it’s a quick way to produce lighter CMYK variations. Store and name tints in the Swatches panel to manage and update them consistently.
A tint of a spot color prints on the same plate as the base color, while the tint of a process color scales each CMYK value (for example, 80% of C10 M20 Y40 K10 becomes C8 M16 Y32 K8). Edits to a base swatch automatically update all its tints, and you can modify them via Swatch Options. Tint values range from 0% (lightest) to 100% (full color).
For print projects, tints work with the color management and preflight tools in InDesign. You can check ink limits and preview how tints separate for printing.
Use tints to create lighter versions of existing colors and expand your palette without adding new inks. Tints update automatically when you edit the base swatch, keeping colors consistent across your document. For spot colors, tints print on the same plate, while process color tints reduce CMYK values proportionally.
Create a tint swatch from the Swatch panel
Select an existing color swatch as the base color.
Select the arrowicon beside the Tint field.
Adjust the Tint slider to the desired percentage.
Select the New Swatch icon at the lower-right side of the panel.
Create a tint swatch from the Color panel
Open the Color panel (Window > Color > Color).
Adjust the tint using the slider or enter a percentage.
Select the panel menu icon, then select Add to Swatches.
Create an unnamed tint for one-time use
Open the Swatches panel (Window > Color > Swatches).
Select the Fill icon or the Stroke icon.
Select the base color swatch.
Select the arrowicon beside the Tint field.
Drag the Tint slider to your desired percentage.
Edit a tint or base color swatch
Open the Swatches panel (Window > Color > Swatches).
Double-click the tint swatch.
Change the Tint value to update all objects using that tint, or adjust the Color Mode or values to update the base color and all related tints.
Select OK.
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