The term opacity refers to the opacity or covering power of a colour. A colour with high opacity is opaque and allows little or no light to shine through. A colour with low opacity is transparent or translucent and allows some or all of the light to pass through.
The opacity of a colour depends on factors such as the concentration of the pigment, the type of pigment, the layer thickness and the type of substrate on which the colour is applied. Pigments with higher opacity generally produce colours with higher opacity. A higher pigmented black therefore covers the white paper better in print than a lower pigmented black.
The opacity of a colour is an important characteristic in various applications. When selecting paints or varnishes, it is essential to consider the desired opacity depending on the intended use. Transparent or translucent colours can be used for glazes or to create translucency. On the other hand, opaque colours with high opacity, such as varnishes, are often better suited to ensure dense, even coverage.
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