Pantone blacks we print
There is no single black. Black 6 is the cold, dense one; Black 5 is a brown-black; a straight process black on uncoated is closer to charcoal.
On-screen approximation: not a colour-accurate reference. Match to a physical PANTONE® chip before you sign off.
On our stocks
Black lifts toward charcoal on cotton; coated stock generally holds a denser reading. On dark coloured paper it becomes tonal, so a contrasting foil is better when the mark must stand out.
What to know before you specify one
- The same ink is not the same colour on the two stocks. On coated sheets the ink sits on a sealed surface: denser, brighter, sharper edges. On uncoated the fibres absorb it: softer, duller, slightly lighter, and warm colours lose the most punch. Some colours change character outright: brights go chalky, deep navies go grey-blue.
- Offset and letterpress inks are translucent. On a dark or coloured stock a light ink will not cover: it sinks into the sheet and reads tone-on-tone. For light colour on dark paper the answer is foil stamping or an opaque screen pass, never a straight PMS hit.
Colours with a full write-up
Common questions
- Do these blacks shift on uncoated stock?
- Yes. Uncoated fibres absorb the ink, so it generally reads softer and less saturated. Judge the physical chip that matches your stock.
- Can I get these blacks on dark paper?
- Standard offset and letterpress inks are translucent. For light colour on dark paper, choose opaque foil or a suitable screen-printing pass instead.
- Can you match one of these in CMYK instead?
- Sometimes. A process approximation may suit imagery, but large flat brand colours show the difference more clearly. Compare the physical references for the chosen stock.
- Is a black spot ink the same as rich CMYK black?
- No. A black spot uses a single mixed ink; rich process black builds density with several inks. Artwork, paper and registration needs decide which approach suits the job.
PANTONE® is a registered trademark of Pantone LLC. Print Peppermint is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pantone LLC. Codes are referenced to identify the inks we print.
