Deep Focus Blog Article: Colors - RGB, CMYK, Spot Color

Colors - RGB, CMYK, Spot Color

by Scarlet

Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 12:02 PM EST

How to Get Print Results that Match What You See on Screen

Adjusting the colors of a photograph or selecting the right colors for your advertising or design, are an integral part of creating a successful printed piece. Knowledge regarding the RGB and CMYK color spectrum, Pantone colors, and monitor color calibration, will ensure that what you create on screen will closely match your final print.

RGB Color

RGB stands for the Red/Green/Blue color spectrum that is generated by light beams. RGB is an additive color model. When all three colors red, green, and blue are mixed equally they produce white. Computer monitors are based on the RGB color model, as well as other optical equipment such as image scanners and digital cameras. Monitors produce millions of colors by combining various percentages of these three primary colors and different monitors will display those colors slightly di fferent. When working with photographs or creating designs, it is recommended to calibrate your computer monitor and converting your files to CMYK, so that the output print will match what you see on screen more closely. You might notice that a color looks bright and vibrant on screen but look flat and just not the same when printed. The reason for this is that certain colors from the RGB color spectrum can not be exactly converted to print colors. Tip: Convert your image to CMYK. Make any color adjustments to the image in CMYK mode. When adjusting color in RGB mode, the changes you make to one color will affect all the other colors as well (additive color system). But when you change for instance the percentage of blue in a CMYK image, the change will only affect blue, not magenta, yellow, or black.

CMYK Color

The Cyan/Magenta/Yellow/Black color spectrum is used for offset printing, inkjet printers, and laser printers. The pri nt colors are created of different percentages of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. Different screen angles create the spectrums of each color. For offset printing, four pieces of film will be produced, one for each color. As mentioned earlier, not all colors can be successfully converted from RGB to CMYK. Tip: Always work in CMYK color mode when creating a design or preparing a photograph for printing and request a print proof (i.e. Matchprint)! Another tip: When creating ads and posters where you are adding text and background color, make sure you are selecting a color that has a CMYK equivalent. In some programs a warning sign like a triangle or exclamation mark will appear next to a color you are selecting. This indicates that there is no matching equivalent for this RGB color in the CMYK color spectrum. Therefore that color will print differently than what you see on your monitor.

Spot Color

Spot color refers to Pantone col ors, or PMS colors (Pantone Matching System) an internationally accepted standard for producing spot color. Spot colors are separated out onto different pieces of film, one film for each color specified. If you were to pick Black and PMS 190 you would get two pieces of film. There is no limit on how many spot colors you can use. Just keep in mind that every spot color will create a piece of film and therefore add to the cost of printing. Just as with RGB colors, not all Pantone colors can be reproduced by CMYK printing. When you need a certain color for your design to give it that special look, or something needs to be printed in silver or gold, select the color from a Pantone chart and it will ensure that your output print will match what you selected.

How to Ensure Your Print Will Match What You See on Screen

Convert the file you want to print to CMYK, make color adjustments in CMYK mode, make sure your monitor is calibrated correct ly (invest in a good color calibration tool), and always request a print proof (i.e. Matchprint), and talk to your printer with any questions or concerns you might have! This is the best way to ensure that your final printed pieces will meet your expectations.

Category: Tips