screen color and printed color

Posted by eric sun on

To continue with the previous topic of CMKY and RGB color mode. when we creating artwork on a computer, there can be significant differences in color between what is displayed on a monitor and what is produced in a printed piece. This is because monitors use RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color mode to display colors, while printers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color mode to reproduce colors on paper.

RGB colors are produced by adding different intensities of Red, Green, and Blue light to create a wide range of colors. On the other hand, CMYK colors are produced by subtracting different intensities of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black inks from a white paper to create a range of colors.

Monitors are backlit displays, and their colors are often much brighter and more vivid than what can be reproduced in print. Additionally, monitors can display a wider range of colors than can be produced with CMYK inks. This means that colors that look great on a monitor might not look the same in print.

To minimize the differences between what is displayed on a monitor and what is printed, it's important to calibrate your monitor and use color management tools when creating and printing files. Calibration ensures that your monitor displays colors as accurately as possible, while color management tools help ensure that the colors in your digital files are converted accurately to the CMYK color space for printing.

It's also important to keep in mind that different printing methods and paper types can affect the way colors appear in a printed piece. Working closely with your printer and providing them with a properly prepared file can help ensure the best possible outcome in terms of color accuracy and consistency.