Color Separation Helper

Summary

Enter a hex color to get CMYK values, total ink coverage percentage, and press-safety status for offset printing.

How it works

1. Enter a hex color code (e.g. #FF6B35) into the input field.
2. The tool splits the hex into R, G, B channel values (0–255).
3. Each channel is normalized to a 0–1 range, then the CMYK formula is applied: K = 1 − max(R',G',B'); C = (1−R'−K)/(1−K); M = (1−G'−K)/(1−K); Y = (1−B'−K)/(1−K).
4. Total ink coverage is calculated as C+M+Y+K (expressed as percentages summed).
5. A safety indicator shows whether the color is within the standard 300% limit or the high-end 340% limit.
6. GCR information notes how much neutral gray can be replaced by black ink to reduce total ink.

Use cases

• Verify a brand color is safe before sending to an offset press.
• Identify rich-black mixes that exceed ink limits.
• Compare CMYK equivalents of screen colors for print design.
• Educate designers on the difference between RGB and CMYK gamuts.
• Quick-check spot-color alternatives before converting to process.
• Understand GCR opportunities to reduce ink costs on long runs.

Frequently Asked Questions