Ink Density
Ink density is the number you get when you add up the values of your CMYK inks. For example: 100c50m50y50k = a density of 250.
Recommended total ink densities change depending on the type of printing your project will be put through so it is important to keep track of this, especially when creating a composite image in Photoshop® or a large black background in InDesign® or Illustrator®.
Following are some guildelines for ink densities relative to how the image will be printed.
The ranges described below are ideal densities for these media:
Newsprint – 240 to 260
Web Offset Printing – 290
Web offset printing is used for very large runs of things like Magazines…so a magazine ad would require this density unless otherwise specified.
Sheetfed and Digital – 290 to 340
Digital has the most flexibility for densities and could go beyond 340, but by using these guidelines your file could also be used for sheetfed without having to create yet another file.
WHAT IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW IT WILL BE PRINTED?
When you are not sure how it will be printed choose 290. I have found from experience that this is the best generic density for as many print media as possible.
david
