Gray Component Replacement - History and Understanding of Black Printer.

History and features of black printer applications in graphic arts are discussed by redefining technical terms from a theoretical point of view based on Neugebauer equations. There are several new findings. Amount of maximum black, for example is not the same with minimum dot area in three-color ink reproductions. Reproduction of the darkest color-patch by given four-color inks, as a second example, is achieved by using four full percent dot area and is darker than three-color case. This fact was used already in practice as skeleton black. There are several new findings. Amount of maximum black, for example is not the same with minimum dot area in three-color ink reproductions. Reproduction of the darkest color-patch by given four-color inks, as a second example, is achieved by using four full percent dot area and is darker than three-color case. This fact was used already in practice as skeleton black. This manuscript was not received in time for publication in the 1989 TAGA Proceedings.