Black that prints properly
Black looks simple on a screen. In print, a large area of single-ink black can come out as a tired charcoal, and a mix of blacks in one layout can show up side by side.
Why it happens.
In CMYK, 100% black ink on its own (written as K100) looks strong as text. Spread over a large area, it can look thin, because a single ink does not absorb all the light. A rich black adds some cyan, magenta and yellow under the black to deepen it. Screens hide all of this, as both versions look identical on a monitor.
Which black for which element?
| Element | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small text and fine lines | K100 only | One ink keeps edges crisp |
| Large headlines | Rich black, or ask us | Reads as a stronger, denser colour |
| Backgrounds and solid panels | Rich black | Avoids a washed-out grey |
| Photographs | Leave as they are | The tones are already built in |
| Greys in a design | K-only tints, or ask about the mix | Mixed greys can drift towards a colour |
A starting recipe
A common mix for rich black is C60 M40 Y40 K100. That adds up to 240% ink coverage, a level many print processes can handle. Too much ink can lead to slow drying and a sticky surface, so do not simply set everything to 100%. Large format printers take colour through their own software, so treat that recipe as a starting point. Tell us if deep black matters to the job, and we will say what suits the material.
If your file is RGB
RGB black (0, 0, 0) is handed to the print software to convert, and usually comes out as a dark, full black. If you are working in RGB, that may be all that you need. See RGB and CMYK for print for how to treat mixed files.
Traps to look for.
- Two blacks side by side. A logo in K100 placed on a rich black background shows up as a grey shape. Set them to match.
- The Registration swatch. This puts every ink on at full strength. It is only meant for printer's marks, so never use it for artwork.
- Black from a pasted image. A logo in a JPEG may have a different black to the rest of the page. Sample it with the eyedropper to see the values.
- Tiny white text on black. Very thin reversed type can fill in with ink. Use a heavier weight.
How the material changes it
Gloss paper gives the deepest black, but it reflects light. Matt surfaces look softer, and sometimes a little lifted, though they are easier to read. Canvas and fabric are less dense again. Backlit film needs special care, as black can turn grey when light passes through it, which is covered in our guide to illuminated graphic displays.
Big black areas show everything
Fingerprints, scuffs and dust stand out on a solid dark print. Handle sheets by their edges, and think about a protective laminate if the piece will be touched.
Depth and contrast in print.
Your questions.
Why does my black look fine on screen but grey in print?
Screens produce black by emitting almost no light, and they do not reveal the ink mix. A print reflects light from the surface, so a thin black mix looks weaker.
Should I use rich black for body text?
No. Fine text in four colours can look slightly soft at the edges. Keep small text in K100.
Does black cost more to print?
Our prices are based on size and material, not on the ink used. Tell us about large solid areas so that we can advise on the surface.