Have you ever printed a black background and found that your final product had a yellow cast, or perhaps it just wasn’t “black” enough? We suggest bumping the black. “What?” you say. Use a “kicker.” Still don’t know what we’re talking about? Okay, let’s cut through the pressroom mumbo jumbo and unveil how to print the richest black.

Use a Kicker (Defined)
A kicker is a layer of ink which is applied to the sheet on press, below a black layer of ink. Its purpose is to produce a rich black color and reduce the appearance of dirt marks. It also enhances the crispness of knockout text.

Designers typically designate either a 40% cyan kicker or a 100% black kicker. So, you ask, “Which one is better?” The answer depends on the quality you wish to achieve and your budget. The 100% black kicker produces the richest black. However, if you’re printing af four-color project, it requires a fifth ink unit (to hold a second black ink) on the press. An inexpensive substitute is the 40% cyan kicker. There is only a minimal difference in quality between the two kickers. Additionally, the 40% cyan kicker is applied from the same cyan ink unit which is used for a standard four-color project. No additional ink units or plates are needed, making it a much less expensive option.

Protect Black Backgrounds
Another helpful tip when printing black backgrounds is to use a coating. Because black backgrounds are susceptible to extreme finger printing, using a protective coating is crucial. We suggest using a varnish or aqueous coating.

Varnish and aqueous coatings offer correlative finishes. Gloss varnish and gloss aqueous coatings overprint black to add brilliance and sheen, while dull varnish and matte aqueous coating on black create a velvety texture.

Although aqueous and varnish finishes are comparable in appearance, beneath their sleek surfaces lie very distinct characteristics.

Aqueous coatings dry immediately, requiring minimal spray powder to mar printed pieces. Additionally, aqueous coatings remain clear over time, showing no signs of yellowing. Although it is the least expensive coating method, it provides a better rub and scratch resistant surface and maintains the brilliance of the inks it covers. Moreover, aqueous coating requires no alcohol and has no polluting properties. Because aqueous coatings are applied in line on jobs with four or more colors, time and money are saved.

Varnishes offer some unique benefits, too. Unlike aqueous coatings, varnishes offer additional design flexibility because they may be applied over select areas or flooded over an entire sheet. Another benefit to using varnishes is that they produce no odor.

See How It Looks before You Print It
Before you start planning your printed project, we suggest seeing a sample of how a kicker and coating can enhance your piece. Contact us for a free printed copy of this tech tip, demonstrating the effects of a “kicker” and a coating.