Colour Behaviour Study of Japan / True Black on Real Life Physical Paper & on Computer Displays or Screens

I am now documenting some thoughts about black colour behaviour on Physical Paper & computer displays or screens.

I was from a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) – Applied Art background, so we had subjects like Illustration, Calligraphy, Typography, Print Media Design, Logo & Symbol Design, Branding & Identity Design.

We used to design our assignments using Japan Black ink which is very dark in contrast & which creates high contrast reach feeling of black colour tone on white paper.

So when we print our designs in Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw, we fill the design with (CMYK) Cyan: 100%, Magenta: 100%, Yellow: 100%, K(Black): 100%, then using only K: 100%. These CMYK values use to create high-contrast Japan Black ink fill on White Paper.

But on Computer Displays with RGB (Red, Green, Blue) Colour Profile, it seems to be doesn’t work. Japan Black, i.e. R: 0, G: 0, B: 0, Will create the illusion of an imperfect but very dull-looking feel of Black colour. It seems Japan Black or True Black doesn’t suites computer screens as far as I am concerned.

So now on, I have started using dark Grey Tones using a HEX Value of #333333, which suits computer displays or screens, whether be it CRT, LCD, or Retina HD Displays.

I have excellent reviews or comments from Dribbble users or critics of my designs or Artworks for Dark Greys than Japan / True Black Colour.

Dark Grey Tones like #333333 work well & are more pleasant to the eyes than just Japan or True Black colour.

I hope you will agree with me on my colour profile study.

Thanks & Regards
Mandar Apte

Published by Mandar Apte

Mandar is a Mumbai-based multi-disciplinary designer with UX/UI, Logo, Symbol, and Brand Identity design expertise. He currently runs his Mudrkashar Linguistic Apple iPhone, iPad, and Mac app business in the heart of Mumbai city.

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