What's the difference between the two black colors?

[Nicole0000]

Hi,
using win xp, ID#

In the swatches palette, there are two black swatches... one says black the other one says black and 'registration' next to it. I like to know what is the difference between these two black colors and which one is best for printing for a commercial printer?

NIkky

 

[eugenetyson]

Black is 100% black.

Registration is 100% off all the colours, this is so they print on all plates. Very useful for things like crop marks, registration marks etc.

For all intent and purpose, text is always the NORMAL BLACK. Sometimes you have to create a new black if you have a large panel of black, as black isn't really black when you consider saturation to the paper and the inconsistencies in the inks.

Creating a new ink of Black is often known as a Rich Black and contains (30% Cyan, Magenta and Yellow as well as 100% black.) Obviously you can't do that if you're doing a one colour job, only really works for 4 colour (CMYK workflow).

So if you need to do a large panel of black the talk to your printers, because the amount of ink going onto the paper (saturation) might prove difficult if the paper is really light.

So always make sure that you talk to your printers about what black you're using and what printers you are using.

 

[apepp]

...as eugene states, however avoid using the registration color for artwork elements, it can cause problems on printed sheets, 400% coverage is not necessary for large areas of ink coverage, problems include:

...set off onto the printed sheet above, because when you have a stack of paper the weight builds up and the pressure between the wet ink and the sheets increases, you end up with smudges on light areas and a ruined print run...

...long drying times also occur, as well as feeding problems on press with saturated sheets. Paper curls eventually, especially thin paper, and the print minder will be cursing all who chuck 400% ink coverage at them...

...too much ink also weakens the paper structure, so on a web press this can be a problem with web paper breaking when the machine is at full speed...

...all in all, a deep rich black is perfectly achievable with much less ink...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...and also fit problems, if registration color is used on small body text...

...definitely avoid it, unless you want to use it for crop marks, fold marks, reg marks not part of the job...

...don't use it for cut guides, use separate custom spot colors set to overprint for those...

Andrew

 

[Nicole0000]

wow!!

Thanks.

Nikky