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Understanding Black in Printing

Not all blacks are created equal! In print, there are two main types of black:
  • Pure Black (K100)
  • Rich Black
Definition: 100% black ink onlyCMYK Values: C0 M0 Y0 K100Characteristics:
  • Single ink (K plate only)
  • Lighter appearance
  • Faster drying
  • No registration issues
Best for: Text, thin lines, small elements

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Visual Comparison

PURE BLACK (K100)         RICH BLACK (C60 M40 Y40 K100)
┌─────────────┐           ┌─────────────┐
│             │           │             │
│   ░░░░░░░   │           │   ████████  │
│   ░░░░░░░   │           │   ████████  │
│  Lighter    │           │   Deeper    │
│             │           │             │
└─────────────┘           └─────────────┘
On screen the difference is subtle. In print, rich black is noticeably deeper and more luxurious.

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Pure Black (K100)

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When to Use Pure Black

All body copy should be pure black (K100)Why:
  • Crisp, clean edges
  • No registration issues
  • Easy to read
  • Industry standard
Example:
  • Book text
  • Magazine articles
  • Brochure copy
  • Website print
All small text must be pure blackWhy:
  • Multiple inks would blur
  • Registration shifts visible
  • Looks muddy if rich black
Rule: If font size < 18pt → K100 only
Lines thinner than 2ptWhy:
  • Multiple inks create thick, blurry lines
  • Registration errors obvious
  • Pure black stays sharp
Example:
  • Borders (< 2pt)
  • Decorative lines
  • Dividers
  • Underlines
White text knocked out of black backgroundWhy:
  • Registration critical
  • Multiple inks can create colored halos
  • K100 background is safest
Exception: If background is rich black, make text pure knockout

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Pure Black Specifications

Standard pure black: 
C: 0%
M: 0%
Y: 0%
K: 100%

Total TAC: 100%
RGB approximation (for screen):
  • R: 0, G: 0, B: 0
  • HEX: #000000

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Rich Black

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When to Use Rich Black

Backgrounds and large shapesWhy:
  • Much deeper, richer appearance
  • Luxury feel
  • Hides paper texture better
Example:
  • Page backgrounds
  • Header/footer bars
  • Large boxes
  • Photo borders
Minimum size: > 1 inch² (6.5 cm²)
High-end branding materialsWhy:
  • Conveys quality and sophistication
  • Deeper than pure black
  • More impactful
Example:
  • Luxury brand materials
  • Annual reports
  • Premium packaging
  • Corporate brochures
Frames around photosWhy:
  • Matches photo depth
  • Creates seamless transition
  • Professional appearance
Example:
  • Photo book pages
  • Portfolio layouts
  • Exhibition prints

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Rich Black Recipes

  • Cool Rich Black
  • Warm Rich Black
  • Neutral Rich Black
  • Maximum Black
Recipe: C60 M40 Y40 K100TAC: 240%Characteristics:
  • Slightly blue-toned
  • Very deep
  • Most popular formula
Best for:
  • Corporate materials
  • Technology brands
  • General use
✅ Recommended standard

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Custom Rich Black

Creating your own recipe:
1

Start with K100

Black ink is the foundation
2

Add Supporting Colors

Guidelines:
  • C: 30-75%
  • M: 20-70%
  • Y: 20-70%
  • K: 90-100%
Keep relatively balanced for neutral black
3

Check TAC

Calculate: C + M + Y + K = TotalEnsure: Total ≤ 300% (for ISO Coated v2)Example: C60 + M40 + Y40 + K100 = 240% ✓
4

Test Print

Order physical proof to verify:
  • Depth of black
  • Color tone (cool/warm/neutral)
  • Drying time

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Registration and Rich Black

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The Registration Problem

Rich black uses 4 plates (CMYK): 
Plate 1: Cyan (C60)
Plate 2: Magenta (M40)
Plate 3: Yellow (Y40)
Plate 4: Black (K100)
Risk: If plates shift (misregister):
  • Colored edges visible
  • Blurry appearance
  • Unprofessional result

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Preventing Registration Issues

Problem:
Rich Black Text (C60 M40 Y40 K100)
↓ (plates misregister)
██ Cyan edge
 ██ Magenta edge
  ██ Yellow edge
   ██ Black text
= Blurry, colored halo!
Solution: Always use K100 for text
When: Rich black object over another colorSetting: Enable overprint for rich blackResult: No knockout = no registration gapsExample:
  • Rich black logo on CMYK photo
  • Set logo to overprint
  • Plates can shift without gaps
What: Slight overlap between colorsWhen: Rich black adjacent to light colorsHow: Print shop applies trappingResult: Small shifts invisibleNote: Usually automatic, but inform printer
Problem: White text knocked out of rich black backgroundRisk:
  • 4-color knockout must align perfectly
  • Colored halos around white text
  • Difficult registration
Solutions:
  • Option 1: Use pure black (K100) background instead
  • Option 2: Increase text size (> 24pt)
  • Option 3: Use bold/thick font weight
  • Option 4: Accept risk for premium appearance

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TAC Considerations

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Rich Black and TAC Limits

TAC (Total Area Coverage) limits vary by profile:
ICC ProfileTAC LimitMax Rich Black
ISO Coated v2300%C75 M68 Y67 K90
FOGRA39300%C60 M40 Y40 K100
SWOP300%C60 M40 Y40 K100
PSO Uncoated260%C40 M30 Y30 K100
Japan Color350%C80 M70 Y70 K100

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Staying Within TAC

Safe rich black formulas: For 300% TAC limit:
  • C60 M40 Y40 K100 = 240% ✓ Safe
  • C40 M30 Y30 K100 = 200% ✓ Very safe
  • C75 M68 Y67 K90 = 300% ✓ At limit
Exceeds TAC ❌:
  • C100 M100 Y100 K100 = 400% ✗ Way too much
  • C80 M80 Y80 K100 = 340% ✗ Over limit
Exceeding TAC causes:
  • Wet prints (won’t dry)
  • Smearing and offsetting
  • Paper saturation
  • Printer rejection

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Uncoated Paper Considerations

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Rich Black on Uncoated Stock

Problem: Uncoated paper absorbs ink Impact:
  • Lower TAC limits (260%)
  • Ink spreads more (dot gain)
  • Rich black can look muddy

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Adjusted Rich Black for Uncoated

Recommended formulas: 
Standard uncoated rich black:
C: 40%
M: 30%
Y: 30%
K: 100%
TAC: 200% ✓

Conservative:
C: 30%
M: 20%
Y: 20%
K: 100%
TAC: 170% ✓
Why less ink?
  • Prevents saturation
  • Faster drying
  • Cleaner appearance
  • Respects lower TAC limit

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Black Handling in Print for Figma

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Automatic Black Handling

1

Open Plugin

Select frame → Launch Print for Figma
2

Go to Color Tab

Navigate to Color settings
3

Find Black Handling Section

Look for “Black Handling” or “Rich Black” options
4

Choose Strategy

Option 1: Automatic (Recommended)
  • Text → Pure black (K100)
  • Large shapes → Rich black
  • Plugin decides based on size
Option 2: All Pure Black
  • Everything converts to K100
  • Safest, no registration issues
  • Less depth
Option 3: All Rich Black
  • Everything uses rich black recipe
  • Maximum depth
  • ⚠️ Risky for text!
Option 4: Custom
  • Specify rich black recipe
  • Set size threshold
  • Advanced control
5

Set Rich Black Recipe (if custom)

Default: C60 M40 Y40 K100Or enter custom:
  • Cyan: [%]
  • Magenta: [%]
  • Yellow: [%]
  • Black: [%]
Check TAC < 300%
6

Export

PDF will apply chosen black handling
For most projects:
  • ✓ Automatic black handling
  • ✓ Rich black for shapes > 1 inch²
  • ✓ Pure black for text < 18pt
  • ✓ Recipe: C60 M40 Y40 K100
For text-heavy documents:
  • ✓ All pure black (K100)
  • Safest for books, manuals, forms
For premium materials:
  • ✓ Automatic with rich black
  • ✓ Recipe: C60 M40 Y40 K100
  • Test with proof

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Common Black Mistakes

Error: Using rich black (e.g., C60 M40 Y40 K100) for body textResult:
  • Blurry text
  • Colored halos
  • Unprofessional appearance
Fix:
  • Text < 18pt → Always K100
  • Re-export with correct settings
Error: Large solid areas in K100 onlyResult:
  • Lighter, less impactful black
  • Amateur appearance
  • Paper texture visible
Fix:
  • Large areas → Rich black
  • Minimum: C30 M30 Y30 K100
Error: Ultra-rich black exceeding 300%Example: C100 M100 Y100 K100 = 400%Result:
  • Printer rejection
  • Wet, smearing prints
  • Paper saturation
Fix:
  • Check TAC (C+M+Y+K ≤ 300%)
  • Use standard recipe
  • C60 M40 Y40 K100 = 240% ✓
Error: Not converting RGB black to CMYKResult: Unpredictable conversion
  • May become C91 M79 Y62 K97 (way too much!)
  • Or may become K100
  • Inconsistent results
Fix:
  • Always convert to CMYK manually
  • Specify exact K100 or rich black recipe
  • Use Print for Figma conversion
Error: Some elements K100, others rich black (unintentionally)Result:
  • Visible color difference
  • Looks like mistake
  • Unprofessional
Fix:
  • Standardize: Text = K100, shapes = rich black
  • Document your choices
  • Be consistent throughout

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Special Black Situations

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Black on Black

Scenario: Black element on black background
  • Pure on Rich
  • Rich on Pure
  • Different Rich Blacks
Element: K100 text Background: C60 M40 Y40 K100Result: Subtle contrast (text slightly lighter)Use case: Debossed/embossed effect

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Black with Spot Colors

Scenario: Pantone + Black printing Options:
  1. Pure black only (K100)
    • No mixing with Pantone
    • Clean separation
    • Recommended
  2. Rich black using Pantone
    • Example: Pantone 286 C + K100
    • Creates color-tinted black
    • Intentional color effect
  3. Overprinting black on Pantone
    • Black text over Pantone background
    • Creates automatic tinted black
    • Usually desired

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Decision Tree: Which Black?

Is it TEXT?
  ├─ Yes: K100 (Pure Black)
  └─ No: Go to next question

Is it LARGER than 1 inch² (6.5 cm²)?
  ├─ Yes: Rich Black (C60 M40 Y40 K100)
  └─ No: K100 (Pure Black)

Is it a LINE?
  ├─ Thicker than 2pt?
  │   ├─ Yes: Rich Black OK
  │   └─ No: K100 (Pure Black)
  └─ Continue

Is paper UNCOATED?
  ├─ Yes: Lower TAC rich black (C40 M30 Y30 K100)
  └─ No: Standard rich black (C60 M40 Y40 K100)

PREMIUM appearance needed?
  ├─ Yes: Rich Black
  └─ No: K100 is fine

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Checking Black Values in PDF

1

Open PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro

Professional version required for this check
2

Use Output Preview

Menu: Tools → Print Production → Output PreviewOr: Shift + Ctrl/Cmd + Y
3

Select Color Warnings

Enable:
  • “Show All” for separations
  • Hover over black areas
4

Check Values

Tooltip shows CMYK values:
  • Text should be: K100
  • Large areas: Should show C/M/Y + K100
  • Check consistency: All blacks same formula

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Industry Standards

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Common Practices

Publishing (books, magazines):
  • Body text: K100 only
  • Backgrounds: Rich black or photos
  • Headlines: K100 (even if large)
Corporate materials (brochures, reports):
  • Text: K100
  • Header/footer backgrounds: Rich black
  • Large graphic elements: Rich black
Packaging:
  • Text: K100
  • Background panels: Rich black or spot black
  • Premium: Often spot black (Pantone)
Business cards:
  • Text: K100
  • Background: Rich black (if black background)
  • Borders: K100 if thin, rich if thick

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Testing Your Black

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Order a Proof

Before full production:
1

Create Test File

Include:
  • Pure black text (K100)
  • Rich black area (your recipe)
  • Side-by-side comparison
2

Order Proof

$10-50 investment
  • Use actual paper stock
  • Same printing process
  • Physical sample
3

Evaluate

Check:
  • Text sharpness (K100)
  • Background depth (rich black)
  • Color tone (cool/warm/neutral)
  • Registration quality
4

Adjust if Needed

  • Tweak rich black recipe
  • Change size thresholds
  • Modify approach

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Black Handling Checklist

Before sending to print:
  • Text is K100: All text < 18pt uses pure black
  • Large areas use rich black: Backgrounds and shapes > 1 inch²
  • Rich black formula set: C60 M40 Y40 K100 (or custom)
  • TAC within limits: Total ≤ 300% (or profile limit)
  • Overprint configured: Black overprints where appropriate
  • Consistency checked: All blacks intentionally chosen
  • PDF verified: Checked in Output Preview
  • Proof ordered (if first time): Physical sample confirmed

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Quick Reference

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Black Formula Summary

Use CaseCMYK RecipeTACWhen to Use
Body textK100100%All text < 18pt
HeadlinesK100100%For readability
Thin linesK100100%Lines < 2pt
Cool rich blackC60 M40 Y40 K100240%Coated paper backgrounds
Warm rich blackC40 M60 Y60 K100260%Warm tone designs
Neutral richC30 M30 Y30 K100190%Uncoated paper
Maximum blackC75 M68 Y67 K90300%Art prints (use carefully)

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Learn More

Overprint Settings

How overprint affects black

Color Management

Complete color workflow

TAC Limits

Understanding ink coverage

Troubleshooting

Fix black handling issues
Pro Tip: When in doubt, use K100 for text and C60 M40 Y40 K100 for large backgrounds. This covers 95% of situations perfectly!