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I will have numerous graphical illustrations (around 500 diagrams/illustrations) printed on uncoated paper using the Indigo printing process. Since the entire print job is very expensive and complex, I would like to ask you for urgently needed advice on how to solve my problems with the different black color codes in Adobe Illustrator 2026. I have chosen the CMYK color profile in Illustrator

I thought its easiest to show you my questions with the print screens below. Alternatively I uploaded the whole word document here: https://we.tl/t-L20Ncii8LBBf7eJg

Thank you all A LOT for your time and for your highly appreciated Support!!!!!

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This is a bit broad.. however... in general...

  1. Are you looking at HEX numbers (it is highlighted)? HEX is RGB and can not be used for CMYK colors. Do not use HEX numbers to choose CMYK colors. HEX numbers have nothing to do with CMYK. (that's also why the HEX values change when you reopen a CMYK document - because HEX numbers are "best guess" for CMYK colors. They are not accurate in any way.)

  2. Every print provider will have their own "rich black" preference. You can ask the provider what they prefer for a Rich Black. If you don't know.. I typically use 40/20/20/100 for a "cool rich black" or 20/40/20/100 for a "warm rich black".

  • Is there a visible difference? Absolutely.
  • Your 2.1 is okay, but 250% of ink may be too much for some print providers. Keeping things under 240% coverage is typically better. You do not need a lot of other ink colors, small, reasonable, amounts will "deepen" the black. Straight 100%K is more of a very, very, dark grey in most cases. It may not actually look "black" without adding other inks.

  1. Depending upon the app in use, a Swatch. But ultimately you'll need to change all art if the desire is uniformity.

  2. #000000 is RGB -- again HEX is RGB and can not be used for choosing CMYK colors. If you look at the CMYK % in that color picker, you'll see it's 329% of coverage. That's generally way too much ink. 300-310% is typically the absolutely "cap" regarding ink coverage for higher-end print providers. Many providers don't like going above 290-300%. Things get too "wet" and take too long to dry.. and smear.. and delay the entire process if there is too much ink coverage.

  3. Generally for the US.. North American General Purpose 2 is a good setting to use - without changing anything further.

  • (Anyone with European experience is free to edit this answer and supply a preferred setting for Europe - I won't know European standards.)

  1. Changing #5 above will change this behavior.

  2. "Display all Blacks Accurately" and "Output All Blacks Accurately". The output setting is imperative. The Display setting is merely so your document isn't visually lying to you. (Adobe set the defaults at pretty terrible options)

  3. PDFX-1a is standard for commercial printing. (You can use PDFX-4 at times, but it's best to verify that's okay with the print provider.)

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