Hello Everyone! Today at The Black Market, a company specializing in “black materials”, we have conducted a little research project of evaluating the darkness of commonly available black papers to determine which one is the darkest.

A tip from someone in the printing industry mentioned a paper called “Plike Black.” Investigation revealed three prominent contenders:

1. Plike Black – A high-end, double-sided matte paper with a supple texture and minimal reflectance.
2. NT Rasha Shikkoku – Launched in 1949, a well-established Japanese fine paper known for its deep black tone.
3. OK AC Card Makuro – Part of the premium OK AC Card color paper line, with top-tier specifications.

To include a more accessible option, a fourth sample was added:

         4. Daiso Black Colored Drawing Paper – A budget craft paper from Daiso.

Appearances

When the four papers were placed side by side, the three premium types looked significantly darker than the Daiso paper. Among those, NT Rasha Shikkoku appeared the blackest to the naked eye, with Plike Black and OK AC Card Makuro appearing similarly dark and noticeably darker than the Daiso sample. 

Reflectance in Visible Light

Objective measurements were taken using in-house equipment:

• NT Rasha Shikkoku had the lowest average visible reflectance at 3.35%.
• Plike Black and OK AC Card Makuro were around 4%, darker than the Daiso paper.
• Daiso Black Paper showed a reflectance of 6.02%, about twice that of NT Rasha.

Verdict

NT Rasha Shikkoku leads as the darkest black paper measured. The comparison was limited to four domestic options, so this is a provisional title—further contenders may exist. Contributions of any darker papers are welcome.

Bonus Showcase

As a little bonus, here is a side-by-side image featured NT Rasha Shikkoku next to our own black material, Fineshut SP. 

What do you think? There's quite an impressive difference in blackness isn't there?

While a direct comparison isn't possible due to differences in material, the depth of black clearly demonstrates the exceptional quality of this product. Fineshut SP is easy to cut and can be applied like paper. It is already being used for stray light prevention in optical equipment with its intense blackness.

That's all for this little research project. Stay tuned as we continue to explore the World of Black! If you have any questions or inquiries, feel free to contact us at info@musoublack.com.