50% Black

[mitch21]

ive been sent a logo from a client that has a section that is
c=0, m=0, y=0, k=50
I want to use this colour in a booklet im designing but dont want it to print the dots that an 50% black will print.
What is the best way to convert a colour like this to ensure a solid Grey colour is printed in the final print?
Thanks

 

[RichardK]

Presumably the booklet is 4 colour, you could build a 4 colour grey as follows

c10 m8 y9 k39

This equates to PMS Cool Gray 7c. The issue will be if the printer can keep all four inks in balance, since a shift either way in the cmy ink weights will change the hue of the grey.

Related to this if you're in the business of designing and specifying colours for print you really should try and get hold of a set of Pantone Swatches, not cheap but they take the guesswork out of 'will the colours match what I expect.'

A good starter set would be the Solid to Process Guide, Process Guide, Formula Guide in gloss and matt.

 

[pressman57]

Hint: just print a PMS grey. Much easier to control on the press.

 

[RichardK]

Hint: just print a PMS grey. Much easier to control on the press.

Agreed - assuming the client/designer wants to pay for the extra plate and maybe the extra pass through press.

 

[mitch21]

Thanks for the tips.
I do have a pantone book but not the version that shows cmyk values. Normally i would just convert a pantone colour to cmyk but this was a bit trickier.

 

[RichardK]

Soild to process guide is invaluable when you need to see what happens when you convert a solid colour to cmyk. Not all colours convert closely - PMS 021 for example looks very little like its solid version.

 

[wetong]

CMYK printing is usually very difficult to achieve pantone color printing results.http://www.zx-printing.com

 

[RichardK]

CMYK printing is usually very difficult to achieve pantone color printing results.http://www.zx-printing.com

Very difficult?

Some colours convert closer than others, that's all, as a quick flick through the Solid to Process Guide will show.