CMYK Color Values Reference

Common CMYK color formulas and values for print design

CMYK Color Reference

Essential CMYK color values for print design, including safe colors, common combinations, and best practices.

Remember: CMYK values are profile-dependent. These values are optimized for ISO Coated v2 300% and GRACoL profiles. Always proof colors for critical projects.

Primary and Secondary Colors

Pure CMYK Colors

Color	C	M	Y	K	Hex (approx)	Notes
Pure Cyan	100	0	0	0	#00A9E0	Bright cyan, primary ink
Pure Magenta	0	100	0	0	#E6007E	Bright magenta, primary ink
Pure Yellow	0	0	100	0	#FFF000	Bright yellow, primary ink
Pure Black	0	0	0	100	#000000	Key (K) ink only
Process Red	0	100	100	0	#ED1C24	Magenta + Yellow
Process Green	100	0	100	0	#00A651	Cyan + Yellow
Process Blue	100	100	0	0	#2E3192	Cyan + Magenta

Use: Basic colors, building blocks for other colors

Black and Gray Values

Black Values

Black Formulas

Type	C	M	Y	K	TAC	Use Case
Pure Black	0	0	0	100	100%	Text, thin lines, overprinting
Rich Black (Standard)	60	40	40	100	240%	Large black areas, backgrounds
Rich Black (Cool)	70	40	30	100	240%	Cool-toned black backgrounds
Rich Black (Warm)	40	50	50	100	240%	Warm-toned black backgrounds
Rich Black (Neutral)	50	40	40	100	230%	Neutral deep black
Rich Black (Maximum)	80	70	70	100	320%	Deepest black (check TAC limit!)

Rules:

• Text: Always pure black (K100) for sharp edges
• Large areas: Rich black for depth
• Check TAC: Rich black can exceed limits

Gray Values

Gray Scale (Pure K only)

Gray %	C	M	Y	K	Hex	Use
10% Gray	0	0	0	10	#E6E6E6	Very light gray
20% Gray	0	0	0	20	#CCCCCC	Light gray
30% Gray	0	0	0	30	#B3B3B3	Medium-light gray
40% Gray	0	0	0	40	#999999	Medium gray
50% Gray	0	0	0	50	#808080	Middle gray
60% Gray	0	0	0	60	#666666	Medium-dark gray
70% Gray	0	0	0	70	#4D4D4D	Dark gray
80% Gray	0	0	0	80	#333333	Very dark gray
90% Gray	0	0	0	90	#1A1A1A	Almost black

Advantage: Single ink = no registration issues

Use: Neutral grays, text, simple graphics

Warm Grays

Warm Gray Scale

Gray %	C	M	Y	K	Appearance	Use
Light Warm Gray	0	5	10	10	Slight warm tint	Subtle backgrounds
Warm Gray 1	0	10	15	20	Warm light gray	Backgrounds
Warm Gray 2	0	10	15	35	Warm medium gray	Text gray
Warm Gray 3	0	15	20	50	Warm dark gray	Dark accents
Warm Gray 4	0	20	25	65	Very dark warm	Near-black warm

Character: Slight brown/beige cast

Use: Softer, warmer feel than pure gray

Cool Grays

Cool Gray Scale

Gray %	C	M	Y	K	Appearance	Use
Light Cool Gray	10	0	0	10	Slight blue tint	Tech/modern backgrounds
Cool Gray 1	15	5	0	20	Cool light gray	Modern designs
Cool Gray 2	20	10	0	35	Cool medium gray	Professional look
Cool Gray 3	25	15	5	50	Cool dark gray	Tech aesthetic
Cool Gray 4	30	20	10	65	Very dark cool	Modern near-black

Character: Slight blue/purple cast

Use: Modern, tech, professional aesthetic

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Common Colors for Print

Red Values

Color Name	C	M	Y	K	Hex	Notes
Bright Red	0	100	100	0	#ED1C24	Maximum CMYK red
Cherry Red	0	100	80	10	#CE0037	Slightly darker, punchy
Fire Engine Red	0	95	85	0	#F02B2B	Vibrant red
Burgundy	20	100	80	30	#8B1A1A	Deep wine red
Crimson	5	100	90	10	#C41E3A	Rich crimson
Dark Red	25	100	100	25	#6B0D0D	Very dark red
Pink	0	50	0	0	#FF7BAC	Bright pink
Hot Pink	0	80	10	0	#FF1493	Vibrant pink
Rose	0	40	20	10	#D98695	Soft rose

Blue Values

Color Name	C	M	Y	K	Hex	Notes
Bright Blue	100	60	0	0	#0066B3	Strong CMYK blue
Navy Blue	100	80	20	30	#003366	Classic navy
Royal Blue	100	80	0	0	#2B3990	Rich blue
Sky Blue	60	10	0	0	#5EC8E5	Light blue
Cobalt Blue	100	70	0	10	#0047AB	Deep blue
Teal	100	0	30	20	#007A7C	Blue-green
Turquoise	70	0	20	0	#00B8D4	Bright teal
Baby Blue	40	10	0	0	#9BD3DD	Pastel blue

Green Values

Color Name	C	M	Y	K	Hex	Notes
Bright Green	80	0	100	0	#00A550	Vivid green
Kelly Green	90	0	85	0	#00843D	Irish green
Forest Green	100	30	100	30	#004D2C	Dark forest
Olive Green	40	20	100	30	#5B6D24	Earthy olive
Lime Green	50	0	100	0	#8BC53F	Bright lime
Mint Green	40	0	30	0	#98E4B8	Pastel mint
Emerald	95	0	60	10	#009B77	Jewel green

Yellow and Orange Values

Color Name	C	M	Y	K	Hex	Notes
Bright Yellow	0	0	100	0	#FFF000	Pure CMYK yellow
Golden Yellow	0	15	100	0	#FFD700	Warm yellow
Mustard	0	25	90	20	#D4A017	Deep mustard
Bright Orange	0	60	100	0	#FF8200	Vivid orange
Burnt Orange	0	70	100	20	#CC5500	Deep orange
Peach	0	30	40	0	#FFD6AD	Soft peach
Coral	0	60	50	0	#FF6F61	Coral tone

Purple and Brown Values

Color Name	C	M	Y	K	Hex	Notes
Purple	60	100	0	0	#6B3FA0	Vibrant purple
Deep Purple	70	100	0	30	#4A1A6B	Dark purple
Lavender	30	40	0	0	#B695C0	Pastel purple
Plum	50	100	30	10	#7D3C98	Rich plum
Brown	40	60	100	30	#664228	Standard brown
Dark Brown	50	70	100	50	#3D2817	Deep brown
Tan	15	25	40	0	#D2B48C	Light brown
Chocolate	35	60	85	40	#5D3A1A	Rich chocolate

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Skin Tone Values

Natural Skin Tones for Print

Light Skin Tones

Tone	C	M	Y	K	Notes
Very Light	0	10	15	0	Pale complexion
Light	0	15	20	0	Fair skin
Light-Medium	0	20	25	0	Light with warmth
Peachy Light	0	25	30	0	Warm undertones

Key: Low cyan, moderate magenta, higher yellow

Avoid: Too much magenta (looks sunburned)

Medium Skin Tones

Tone	C	M	Y	K	Notes
Medium	5	30	35	0	Average complexion
Medium Warm	10	35	45	5	Warm medium
Medium Olive	25	35	50	10	Olive undertones
Medium Tan	15	40	55	15	Tanned skin

Key: Some cyan for balance, good magenta, yellow

Balance: Cyan prevents orange cast

Dark Skin Tones

Tone	C	M	Y	K	Notes
Medium-Dark	30	50	60	20	Deep tan
Dark	40	60	70	30	Rich brown
Very Dark	50	70	80	50	Deep complexion
Deepest	60	80	90	60	Darkest tones

Key: Significant cyan for richness, high all values

Avoid: Pure black tones (unrealistic)

Undertone Adjustments

Adjusting for Undertones

Cool undertones (pink/red):

• Increase: Magenta by 5-10%
• Decrease: Yellow by 5%

Warm undertones (golden/yellow):

• Increase: Yellow by 5-10%
• Decrease: Cyan by 5%

Neutral undertones:

• Balanced CMY ratios
• No dominant color

Always proof: Skin tones critical to get right

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Paper-Safe Colors

Colors That Print Well

Safe Blues

Blues that reproduce reliably:

Color	C	M	Y	K	Reliability
Navy Blue	100	80	20	30	Excellent
Royal Blue	100	80	0	0	Excellent
Medium Blue	80	50	0	0	Good
Sky Blue	60	10	0	0	Good

Avoid:

• Electric blues (C100 M0 Y0 K0): Look duller than screen
• Very bright cyans: Significant shift from RGB

Safe Reds

Reds that reproduce reliably:

Color	C	M	Y	K	Reliability
Bright Red	0	100	100	0	Excellent
Cherry Red	0	100	80	10	Excellent
Burgundy	20	100	80	30	Good
Crimson	5	100	90	10	Good

These match: Screen to print well

Avoid: Neon pinks (can’t reproduce in CMYK)

Safe Greens

Greens that reproduce reliably:

Color	C	M	Y	K	Reliability
Kelly Green	90	0	85	0	Excellent
Forest Green	100	30	100	30	Excellent
Emerald	95	0	60	10	Good
Olive	40	20	100	30	Good

Avoid:

• Neon lime greens: Major shift from RGB
• Very bright yellow-greens: Hard to reproduce

Safe Neutrals

Always safe colors:

• Pure black: K100
• Pure gray scale: K only (any %)
• White: Paper (C0 M0 Y0 K0)
• Warm grays: Slight MY tint
• Cool grays: Slight C tint

Why safe: Single or minimal inks, no registration issues

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CMYK Color Strategies

Maximum Saturation Colors

Brightest possible in each hue:

Hue	C	M	Y	K	Notes
Red	0	100	100	0	Maximum CMYK red
Orange	0	60	100	0	Brightest orange
Yellow	0	0	100	0	Pure yellow (brightest)
Green	100	0	100	0	Maximum green
Cyan	100	0	0	0	Pure cyan
Blue	100	100	0	0	Brightest blue
Purple	60	100	0	0	Vibrant purple
Magenta	0	100	0	0	Pure magenta

Use: When maximum saturation needed within CMYK gamut

TAC-Safe Rich Colors

Rich colors that stay under TAC 300%:

Color	C	M	Y	K	TAC	Use
Rich Navy	100	80	20	30	230%	Deep blue backgrounds
Rich Burgundy	20	100	80	30	230%	Elegant dark red
Rich Forest	90	30	100	30	250%	Deep green
Rich Purple	70	100	0	30	200%	Deep purple
Rich Brown	50	70	100	50	270%	Chocolate brown

Advantage: Rich depth while staying within most TAC limits

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Color Mixing Guide

Creating Custom Colors

Pastel Colors

Formula: Reduce saturation, add white (reduce all values)

Example - Pastel Blue:

Start: Royal Blue (C100 M80 Y0 K0)
Reduce to 40%: C40 M32 Y0 K0
Result: Soft pastel blue

General rule:

• Multiply all CMY values by 0.3-0.5
• Keep K at 0
• Result: Pastel version

Common pastels:

• Pastel Pink: C0 M30 Y10 K0
• Pastel Blue: C30 M10 Y0 K0
• Pastel Yellow: C0 M0 Y40 K0
• Pastel Green: C30 M0 Y30 K0

Darker Tones

Formula: Add black (increase K)

Example - Dark Navy:

Start: Royal Blue (C100 M80 Y0 K0)
Add 40% black: C100 M80 Y0 K40
Result: Very dark navy

Rules:

• Increase K by 20-50%
• Can also reduce CMY slightly to compensate
• Check TAC limit

Effect: Deepens color, reduces brightness

Muted/Desaturated Colors

Formula: Add gray (increase all CMY evenly, add K)

Example - Muted Green:

Start: Bright Green (C80 M0 Y100 K0)
Add gray: C80 M20 Y100 K20
Result: Sage/muted green

Rules:

• Add small amounts of opposite colors
• Add 10-30% K
• Reduces vibrancy, increases sophistication

Use: Professional, elegant designs

Complementary Colors

Mixing opposites for neutral:

Complementary pairs:

• Red (M100 Y100) + Green (C100 Y100) = Brown
• Blue (C100 M100) + Orange (M60 Y100) = Gray-brown
• Yellow (Y100) + Purple (C60 M100) = Gray

Use: Create custom browns, grays, earth tones

Example - Custom Brown:

Mix: C40 M60 Y100 K30
Result: Rich chocolate brown

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TAC (Total Area Coverage) Reference

TAC Limits by Profile

Profile	TAC Limit	Example Safe Color	Example Over Limit
ISO Coated v2	330%	C100 M100 Y100 K30 (330%)	C100 M100 Y100 K40 (340%)
GRACoL 2006	300%	C80 M80 Y80 K60 (300%)	C100 M100 Y100 K10 (310%)
SWOP 2006	300%	C80 M70 Y70 K80 (300%)	C90 M90 Y90 K40 (310%)
PSO Uncoated	260%	C60 M60 Y60 K80 (260%)	C80 M80 Y80 K40 (280%)
Newsprint	240%	C50 M50 Y50 K90 (240%)	C70 M70 Y70 K40 (250%)

Calculating TAC

Formula: C + M + Y + K = TAC

Example:

Color: C80 M60 Y40 K50
TAC: 80 + 60 + 40 + 50 = 230%
Status: ✓ Safe for all profiles

Check before finalizing: Ensure colors don’t exceed profile TAC

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Best Practices

Use Pure Black for Text

Always: C0 M0 Y0 K100 for text

Why:

• Sharpest edges
• No registration issues
• Overprints safely

Never: Rich black for text (fringing risk)

Avoid Four-Color Builds

Minimize: Colors using all four inks

Problems:

• Registration issues
• High TAC
• Color shifts

Better: Three-color builds when possible

Example:

• Instead of: C50 M40 Y40 K20
• Use: C60 M50 Y50 K0 (similar result, better registration)

Proof Critical Colors

Always proof:

• Brand colors
• Skin tones
• Large color areas

Methods:

• Soft proofing (Acrobat Overprint Preview)
• Physical print proof

Before: Large print runs

Design with CMYK from Start

Best practice: Use CMYK color picker in Figma

Avoid:

• Designing in RGB
• Converting at end
• Surprises from gamut shift

Result: What you design is what you get

Document Color Values

For brand colors:

• Record exact CMYK values
• Test print and approve
• Save in brand guidelines

Include:

• CMYK formula
• Pantone equivalent (if applicable)
• Acceptable variation range

Consistency: Critical for brand materials

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Learn More

RGB vs CMYK

Understanding color models

Black Handling

Pure black vs rich black

Color Issues

Troubleshoot color problems

Color Accuracy

Achieve accurate print colors

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Golden rule: When in doubt, use proven CMYK formulas from this reference rather than converting RGB colors. These values are tested and optimized for print reproduction.