---
type: faq
title: "If my file has black ink and faded grey on the back, does it need black only or full color printing?"
description: "Grey on the back is a tint of the four-color process, not its own ink, so a file mixing black and grey needs the 4/4 full color option to print right."
resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/if-my-file-has-black-ink-and-faded-grey-colors-on-the-back-should-i-select-black
tags: ["Printing Terms Glossary", "faq"]
generated:
  by: "process:4over4-mapp-build"
  at: 2026-10-20T21:01:19.542Z
timestamp: 2026-10-20T21:01:19.542Z
sources:
  - resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink/if-my-file-has-black-ink-and-faded-grey-colors-on-the-back-should-i-select-black
    title: "If my file has black ink and faded grey on the back, does it need black only or full color printing?"
status: stable
---

# If my file has black ink and faded grey on the back, does it need black only or full color printing?

When a design mixes solid black with faded grey, choose 4/4 (full color on both sides). Grey is not a separate ink. It is a lighter tint built from the four-color process, so it prints correctly only when full color is enabled rather than a black-only setting. Print options are written as a front/back pair. Here is what each one covers: Option Front Back Best for 4/4 Full color Full color Black plus grey, or any color on both sides 4/0 Full color Blank Color front, no back printing 4/1 Full color Black only Color front, simple black text on the back 1/0 Black only Blank Pure black artwork, single side Choosing black-only on a file that contains grey can shift or flatten the grey tones. Build your file in CMYK so the grey values translate predictably. If both sides carry color or grey, 4/4 is the safe default.

Grey on the back is a tint of the four-color process, not its own ink, so a file mixing black and grey needs the 4/4 full color option to print right.

| Option | Front | Back | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 4/4 | Full color | Full color | Black plus grey, or any color on both sides |
| 4/0 | Full color | Blank | Color front, no back printing |
| 4/1 | Full color | Black only | Color front, simple black text on the back |
| 1/0 | Black only | Blank | Pure black artwork, single side |

- Choosing black-only on a file that contains grey can shift or flatten the grey tones.
- Build your file in CMYK so the grey values translate predictably.
- If both sides carry color or grey, 4/4 is the safe default.

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