Black: 100% K or rich black
For text and fine lines, use pure black (K=100, everything else at 0): it prints crisp and perfectly registered. For a large, deep-black solid, add supporting inks: a rich black such as C40 M30 Y30 K100 gives a dense, even black.
Keep total ink coverage under control
Total ink coverage is the sum of all four inks at any one point. Above 300%, the paper saturates, dries poorly and can smear. Stay below that threshold, especially on dark solids and heavy backgrounds.
Solids and gradients
For an even solid, avoid compressed JPEG images that leave artefacts; use a flat colour instead. Gradients are best handled as vectors or in high resolution to avoid banding.
Check before you send
- Text and fine lines in 100% K
- Large black solids in rich black
- Total ink coverage ≤ 300%
- Solids as flat colour, not compressed JPEGs
Why does my black text look blurry or doubled?
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