So you have a nice new shiny printer which can use CMYK color processing. CMYK is also known as four color processing.
And you wonder why:
The colors I see on my screen are not the same as what prints out.
Here are four reasons why:
- You’re using an application which only supports RGB colors (typical application: Microsoft Word/Publisher/Excel/Visio).
Your printer needs to convert the colors from RGB to CMYK. This color conversion is not always accurate. - How your computer display (CRT/LCD) is setup.
Ever wondered why your display screen manufacturer shipped color card(s) with your monitor? Color print matching is a reason. - Your using a PCL print driver, and not the Postscript driver.
Postscript printer drivers are more accurate at page/color rendering.
PCL is faster, and not so good at page/color rendering. - Paper being used
Photographic-type paper behaves differently (better) to normal paper.
Solutions:
- Use RGB if your printer driver supports it.
- Match application colour types to output color process type (CMYK to CMYK, RGB to RGB)
- Calibrate your computer display to the correct colors.
- Use a Postscript driver if you have it.
- Use RGB. Seriously. Use this color option if your printer supports it (almost most do).
- Get a printing consultant in.
If you need to do this you’re likely to be a graphic designer, and know all about things like four color processing & PANTONE colors.
Reference(s)
Digital Expert – Color Space Fundamentals
Dry Creek Photo – Monitor Calibration and Profiling