What is a Registration Mark and How to Set It Up?

What is a Registration Mark?

A registration mark is a small, standardized symbol used in screen printing to ensure proper alignment (registration) of multi-color designs. When printing separations, these marks help screen printers line up each color layer accurately on the press, preventing misalignment and color shifts.

Why Are Registration Marks Needed?

• Aligning Color Separations: Ensures that each ink color prints in the correct position to produce the proper result.
• Proper use of registration marks will get screens aligned faster improving overall production by reducing downtime during the press setup process. 

How to Set Up Registration Marks

In Adobe Illustrator:

1. Open your design file.
2. Go to Window > Swatches and ensure the "Registration" color swatch is available.
3. Draw a small circle or cross using the Ellipse Tool or Line Tool.
4. Select the shape and apply the Registration swatch.
5. Copy and place the mark in all four corners of your design.

In CorelDRAW:

1. Open your design file.
2. Go to Tools > Options > Global > Printing > Registration Marks.
3. Enable Print Registration Marks to add them automatically.
4. Alternatively, create custom marks manually and apply them to all separations.

Best Practices for Registration Marks

• Place four marks (one in each corner).
• Use the Registration color swatch to ensure the marks appear on all separations.
• Make marks bold enough to be visible but not too thick to interfere with design details. A suggested point size of .75 works is typical but choose what works best for you.

By setting up proper registration marks, you ensure accurate multi-color prints and professional-quality results on press.

Freehand offers a registration mark template that can be found here: LINK >