Dear List, I defined the following color for one of my documents: \definecolor[P][r=0.64,g=0.22,b=0.27] When I printed this document on a probably typical office laser printer (a Canon iRCXXXX), the colors didn't match. (not even close and I didn't like the printed color) This is probably no real surprise, but can anybody provide some insight or hints to information on these matters to me: -- Are "spot colors" the thing to use to get a grip on these matters? -- Is this generally only a matter of "color spaces" and transformations between them? or ... -- Is this also dependent on specific printer models (eg. different office laser printers)? -- If yes, is there any source on information on the pecularities of these printers? kind regard and thanks Erik
On 19-6-2011 1:53, Erik Margraf wrote:
Dear List,
I defined the following color for one of my documents: \definecolor[P][r=0.64,g=0.22,b=0.27] When I printed this document on a probably typical office laser printer (a Canon iRCXXXX), the colors didn't match. (not even close and I didn't like the printed color) This is probably no real surprise, but can anybody provide some insight or hints to information on these matters to me:
-- Are "spot colors" the thing to use to get a grip on these matters?
no, as your printer uses process colors (cmyk)
-- Is this generally only a matter of "color spaces" and transformations between them? or ...
indeed, often printer drivers apply some paper properties as well
-- Is this also dependent on specific printer models (eg. different office laser printers)?
yes, toner vs ink, kinds of paper, quality of renderer etc
-- If yes, is there any source on information on the pecularities of these printers?
specifying in cmyk might help Hans ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hans Hagen | PRAGMA ADE Ridderstraat 27 | 8061 GH Hasselt | The Netherlands tel: 038 477 53 69 | voip: 087 875 68 74 | www.pragma-ade.com | www.pragma-pod.nl -----------------------------------------------------------------
-- Are "spot colors" the thing to use to get a grip on these matters?
No, because spot colors are used to extend the printable range by colors not available in cmyk. You might be able to show such a color on your monitor, but not print it.
-- Is this generally only a matter of "color spaces" and transformations between them?
Yes, because your monitor uses RGB and your printer uses CMYK. The conversion between thetwo is not too complicated, but actually getting the same output from the two is hard. RGB is an additive model, CMYK is subtractive (read about the different models, wikipedia will do). The color impression you get by looking at the output is generated in completely different ways. or ...
-- Is this also dependent on specific printer models (eg. different office laser printers)? -- If yes, is there any source on information on the pecularities of these printers?
Each printer will print slightly different, that's the nature of things. Your best bet is to calibrate your monitor (also, search a bit on the web for ways to do this). Turn a few of your monitors knobs and see how the colors change - now imagine what variables come into play between your impression of the color shown by your monitor, the actual data, and the impression you get from your printer's output! You can also try specifying a color in CMYK and see if the output changes. Regards Christoph
Yes, because your monitor uses RGB and your printer uses CMYK. The conversion between thetwo is not too complicated, but actually getting the same output from the two is hard. RGB is an additive model, CMYK is subtractive (read about the different models, wikipedia will do). The color impression you get by looking at the output is generated in completely different ways.
Most office printers cope well with RGB (sRGB) colors, a lot of inkjet printers even better than with CMYK colors, because they're optimized for home dummy use. But (as Christoph pointed out) your printer can be as great as it goes, you'll never get a similar color impression if your monitor's set to some extreme setting - and most monitors that I saw outside of the graphical branch are set to "nonsense" settings, e.g. max contrast. Greetlings from Lake Constance! Hraban --- http://www.fiee.net/texnique/ http://wiki.contextgarden.net https://www.cacert.org (I'm an assurer)
Thanks! I'll go for the calibration and some trials in CMYK colors for
printing.
kind regards
Erik
2011/6/19 Henning Hraban Ramm
Yes, because your monitor uses RGB and your printer uses CMYK. The
conversion between thetwo is not too complicated, but actually getting the same output from the two is hard. RGB is an additive model, CMYK is subtractive (read about the different models, wikipedia will do). The color impression you get by looking at the output is generated in completely different ways.
Most office printers cope well with RGB (sRGB) colors, a lot of inkjet printers even better than with CMYK colors, because they're optimized for home dummy use.
But (as Christoph pointed out) your printer can be as great as it goes, you'll never get a similar color impression if your monitor's set to some extreme setting - and most monitors that I saw outside of the graphical branch are set to "nonsense" settings, e.g. max contrast.
Greetlings from Lake Constance! Hraban --- http://www.fiee.net/texnique/ http://wiki.contextgarden.net https://www.cacert.org (I'm an assurer)
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participants (4)
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Christoph Redecker -
Erik Margraf -
Hans Hagen -
Henning Hraban Ramm