#000000 is not 100% Black

All blacks are not created equal. In print, we like 0% C 0% M 0% and 100% BLACK for body copy text and other small areas of black. In web design, #000000 or R 0, G 0, B 0 is a solid black.

Let’s take a look at how and why.

In this example, let’s use Adobe Illustrator’s Color Picker.

In the sample below, #000000 has been selected. If you look to the right, the CMYK values are 95C, 85M, 85Y and 85K. On press, this color would appear black, but would be hard to register and may wind up not being as sharp as if it were just 100K.

In this next sample, the color selected is 0C, 0M, 0Y and 100K. This color will print as solid black, even though it is a much lighter color for screens.

When coloring text and small areas as black. Be sure to use 100%K.

For more in depth information on this subject see 1 COLOR BLACK TEXT  VS  CMYK BLACK TEXT.