Should I use rich black?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
November 18, 2019
3 replies
1259 views

I have a DL sized flyer I’ve designed, it will be printed black ink on to a kraft substrate, it is mostly text with a black logo which is a black square with letters knocked out of it (the letters will be transparent so you will see the logos words as the colour of the kraft card). Should I use a rich black or is it best to use 100% black seeing as it’s mostly text and not large areas of black?

I’ve read there can be issues with trapping on text that’s in rich black?

If rich black is recommended can peeps tell me what CMYK values you would use? The logo looks to be in a rich black so I could keep it as it is but would be interested to see what values others would use.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

Miss Sparkles,

I agree with Monika and Megan, also what Megan said about avoiding a rich CMYK black, with the following (additonal) reason: clear and crisp artwork with solid colour, without halftoning.

meganchi

Legend

As Monika said, print providers, especially those who print on kraft, will have a custom spot black that is more dense than a traditional process black. Do not use color builds to create a rich black. Chances are you would have to pay for additional print plate separations. Reach out to the print service bureau and ask if they have a dense spot black color, and if so, if they want you to name your custom spot color as such.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Talk to the print service provider. They might even have a special black ink for this. But they can also advise you on process blacks to use.

M

MissSparkles75Author

Known Participant

Thanks everyone for your help.

I forgot to mention that this is a really small print run, the client may only want 30 flyers so would a printer then print these using a digital printer as opposed to litho (to keep it cost effective), and would all the answers so far only apply to litho printing and making plates? If it's to be digitally printed what is the best thing to do with the black? Will it be richer if it's a rich black or does it make no difference whether it's a rich black or 100% black in didgital printing?

I would ask the printer directly but A) I often get the impression from printers that I'm worrying too much and just send it any which way, it'll be alright and B) I may be using a print broker (who I've known for many years) so am unable to ask the print house directly as I don't know where she sends my artwork.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

When printing digitally a Rich Black should not produce registration issues. But still I would ask the printer about the ideal mixture. They know their machines (and there are some different machines). We don't even know your design or the country you ar living in (which can make a difference as well).

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