Black and white printing is one of the specialty printing methods that Print Time does. They have found that some of the most elegant or dramatic results have come from monochromatic or grayscale. The simplicity of two colors comes with depth, shadow, contrast, and light all in one.

There’s a particular skill to be found in printing in black and white. It’s not as simple as setting the printer to that setting. Consider the following tips:

Monochrome or Grayscale?

Monochrome printing uses a small amount of black ink. Meanwhile, grayscale will mix black with some color toner. The difference can be significant—for more shades and variance in the deepness of the black, grayscale is better. But for starker contrasts, monochrome is ideal.

Tone your print material

Before starting your black and white printing, the graphic or the photo is toned correctly. It’s no different from toning or adjusting color images—too much contrast can destroy features in the graphic. Too much shadow can make the image muddy. And you might be surprised at how different “color profiles” affect how a black and white photo can appear in print. Try changing the RGB color profiles to determine which produces your ideal effect.

Choose the right paper

Monochrome or grayscale prints get affected by the type of paper or material they are printed on. Once again, like with colors, some papers work best for black and white printing. One great way to determine what works for you is to ask your printer or supplier to present you with a selection of test prints on different finishes. Glossy, matte, newsprint, craft, heavy board—ensure you get a small test on each one and determine what texture works best.

Black and white printing can produce beautiful finishes that are not just full of depth but may also be relatively cost-effective for your business. With the proper care and attention to detail, it may present more insight into the graphic or image than a color print does.

Select a printer with experience in handling black and white printing for your monochrome marketing. Contact Print Time to learn about your options.