Using a Gray CMYK

[samjoy]

I use designer black as my default black C70 M50 Y30 K100 but how do I specify grays to go with this. I am using in a project for type on a business card for example

C: 0.000%
M: 2.143%
Y: 5.714%
K: 45.098%

which is converted from pantone cool gray 9 but if I want a range of grays is there any formula?

C0 M0 Y0 K50 and C0 M0 Y0 K25 looks good on screen but outputs very blueish in the PDF?

Thanks

Sam

 

[spamjim]

If you are getting a blue from a tint of black then you probably need to calibrate your monitor and check your color management settings.

 

[apepp]

...rule of thumb in print is never really trust your monitor, calibration helps but only a good monitor and good calibration is worth trusting...

...even with that, a calibrated printed proof from a print providers calibrated workflow has to be signed off prior to print run...

...for example, it is very hard to achieve a 50% black and it print the same when using different print providers, some variation is inevitable unless your print provider has a target to go by...

...different plates, paper, printing presses all have a variable involved when dealing with different workflows...

...also note that Pantone books can look different between different print providers too...

...without your print provider providing proofing samples of CMYK grey text it's a guess to know what you will get...

...CMYK grey text is also best avoided in many cases due to registration issues on printing presses that can occur. If you want grey text it is often better to use a Pantone color, or tint of just black.

andrew

============

http://www.apepp.info

============