Rich Black Planner
Enter the CMYK build you are considering. The result shows TAC and whether extra process channels are present beyond black.
Enter your job values
Use the real values from your job. Optional fields can stay blank; zero should only be used when the value genuinely does not apply.
Your result will appear here
4 required values are still missing.
Color numbers only become meaningful inside an output condition
A multi-channel rich black can be useful for large solid areas, while small type and fine rules often need a simpler black construction to reduce registration risk. The printer/profile specification controls the final recipe.
Color-space, output-intent, spot/separation or overprint tokens that can be read from the file.
Which profile, TAC limit, black build or conversion policy is correct for this output condition.
Use the printer/prepress profile, proofing workflow and professional output preview where the job is color-critical.
What the result is useful for
Useful when artwork instructions specify a particular black build and you need to audit the numbers before production.
How the calculation works
The tool adds the four process channels and classifies whether the build is K-only or a multi-channel black.
What this calculator cannot know
There is no universal rich-black recipe. Text size, trapping, substrate, press condition and printer specification control the safe build.