Getting the Right Color
One of the trickiest parts in designing a print piece is getting accurate color. Many times, clients are surprised when the color they see on screen isn’t necessarily the same color they see in the printed piece. The reason? Computer monitors and TV’s display color using an Red, Blue, Green (RGB) combination. In print, colors are created by combining Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, otherwise known as CMYK. So you can see why, with these two different methods of displaying color, why differences exist.
What can be done to resolve these differences?
Understand that there will be variation
Colors are tricky; printing isn’t an exact science. In the majority of instances though, you will get the color you want. If you’re really a stickler for accuracy, you can call for a “press check,” where you can visit our press and check colors to ensure you get exactly what you want.
Understand that your monitor is not to be trusted
Even if you have the world’s fanciest monitor, you will not get perfect color reproduction from monitor to press. It speaks an entirely different language (RGB) than our presses (CMYK), and though they have been forced to form an uneasy alliance, they still do not trust each other.
Use pantone books
Trust pantone books more than your monitor. These books list common codes for common colors that any printer will understand. They make a great reference when picking and proofing colors. You can either purchase your own or ask to borrow ours for your job.
Request a proof if needed
Is accurate color mission critical? Then it’s worth it to request a proof. Remember, this will delay the project a bit a result in a small cost, but it could really save you some grief over the long haul. We offer multiple types of proofs. Talk to one of our representatives to learn more about the different options.
Calibrate your monitor
Going back to not trusting your monitor… a monitor that isn’t color calibrated correctly is like looking at the world through rose-colored glasses: You’re not getting an accurate representation. There are plenty of ways to calibrate our monitor, and most of it boils down to adjusting the system settings on your computer. Don’t worry: Most monitors come with some software calibration that can work.
Scan appropriately
Scanning? Use a scanner that has at least 24-bit color depth—30-bit if you can swing it. The more bits, the better the color translation.