CMYK Black vs. 100% K
Out of context: Reply #15
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- d_rek0
The Y of the CMYK is your black ink and for 4-color printing. While it's very typical when running a 4-color job to simply make black elements a 100% K (type, solid color fields, etc) there are subtle–and sometimes drastic–differences from 100% K, a 'Rich' Black and a black Pantone Spot Ink.
100% K will, depending on your printer and the type of paper you're running on, be acceptable for color that requires black. Keep in mind 100% K will in some cases appear 'softer' on an uncoated sheet because the paper will absorb more ink and will appear 'darker' on a coated sheet because the paper will hold the ink on the surface of the sheet better.
A 'Rich' black is when you add percentages of Cyan, Magenta or Yellow (CMY) to 100% black to make the black appear 'deeper'. However, this varies by printer and each should be able to give you values for printing a rich black. However, because you're adding multiple inks that need to be laid over an area along with the black you had better have some confidence in your printer. Just remember, a sheet that goes through 4-CP has ink that is laid down on it 4-times and registration is an approximation, not a science. Best not to do rich blacks for small text and objects for this reason.
A black Pantone Spot Ink, like Black C, is used the same way you would any spot ink and you should consult your color books to get an idea of how the color will look on an uncoated/coated sheet. Also, if you're spec'ing spot inks that will be converted to 4CP make sure you use your solid-to-process color book so you get a good idea how the color will convert.
Now, to answer your question: Is it any more/less expensive? Well, that largely depends on the job. In theory a pantone spot ink + 1 other color - say 100% K - would be cheaper than 4CP because you're only technically using 2-inks. However, this may require more setup from the printer and the job might be just as much as a typical 4CP job.
But as others have said, there is a lot of variation in the way printers run their jobs these days. The best thing to do is to befriend a printer and ask them lots and lots of questions. And don't be embarassed - you're young and learning. Get while the gettins good!
- Happy MotherFuckers Day!d_rek
- God i really told him Y was Black. Sorry. Y is most definitely Yellow. K is Black.d_rek
- lolhorton
- Haha I was gonna say!monospaced
- haha.YLACKakrok