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How To: Print Different Shades Of Black

6th Nov 2020

Black is known as "Key" in the CMYK print process, but the common misconception is that black is just one standard print colour.

When cost-effectively printing, optimisation of expensive printing inks is an important production skill. So where print demands Black - most often the just the "Key" cartridge is used.

However that's only one standard Black...and it's possible to produce more types!

When aesthetics and subtle changes are required, there are various black effects that can be achieved by some clever printing trickery with help from the Paramount Labels HQ.

Contrary to belief, simply by fusing a combination of all four CMYK colour cartridges at once. There are many different variants of Black print you can achieve.

How Does It Work?

If you have read our advice on Colour Theory for Packaging. You will know that our perception of colour and vibrance is gauged by the amount of reflected light in a wavelength from the surface we are looking at which is then returned to the eye.

With black, it's a light absorbant colour. So reversing the colours reflective properties is a fundamental part to understanding and maximising this effect.

When applying a layer from all cartridges of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black to light absorb on a surface:

• Magenta and Cyan ink layers combined create Violet absorb the Violet light.
• Yellow and Magenta ink layers create Red to absorb the Red light.
• Cyan and Yellow ink layers create Green to absorb the Green light.

All those colours are applied with a "Key/Black" layer of ink, the colour absorbing abilities of the surface is improved and it's reflectivness is minimised. Note that files on-screen often have results that can differ from the final printed piece.

The CMYK Recipe for 6 Variants Of Black Print:

Rich Black:
Cyan// 60%
Magenta// 0%
Yellow// 0%
Black// 100%

100% Black:
Cyan// 0 %
Magenta// 0%
Yellow// 0%
Black// 100%

Super Black:
Cyan// 50%
Magenta// 50%
Yellow// 50%
Black// 100%
 
Cool Black:
Cyan// 70%
Magenta// 35%
Yellow// 40%
Black// 100%

Registration Black:
Cyan// 100%
Magenta// 100%
Yellow// 100%
Black// 100%

Warm Black:
Cyan// 35%
Magenta// 60%
Yellow// 60%
Black// 100%

Knowing techniques like this can also help save ink and maintenance costs by simply avoiding using additional colour ink on monochrome (one colour) documents. The cost savings can be transferred back into our clients pockets or invested into our higher grade materials to create print and labels that go beyond average.

Now we've shared what different types of Black you can achieve in print and how it's achieved at Paramount Labels HQ. For further developments, ink optimisation and colour changes to artworks. Contact our dedicated team.