1. A method for generating a color design for a printed article comprising: obtaining data associated with a first spot color S a , the first spot color S a comprising a component of a color design; determining a plurality of substitute spot color candidates S b1 -S bi , where i is an integer, by evaluating—for each substitute spot color candidate—color distance metrics between data associated with the substitute candidate spot color and the data associated with the first spot color S a ; determining a Cyan (C), Magenta (M) and Yellow (Y) tint for each of the plurality of substitute spot color candidates S b1 -S bi ; using one or more electronic processors, simulating an overprint of each of the plurality of substitute spot color candidates S b1 -S bi with its respective CMY tint, and for each of the overprinted substitute spot color candidates, generating an Lab or Chroma distance metric relative to the first spot color S a ; based on generated distance metrics, determining final spot color candidates; for at least one of the final spot color candidates, and using one or more electronic processors, transforming its respective CMY tint with a digital watermark signal; and substituting the at least one of the final spot color candidates plus its transformed CMY tint for the first spot color S a in the color design.