Article 1: Accurate Color Reproduction
COLOR MODE: CMYK or RGB
Understanding how color will be produced is one of the more complicated issues of the printing industry. The goal of this installment is to provide you with a thorough understanding of color reproduction so that you can effectively translate your customers expectations into satisfied repeat business.
There are two types or modes of color: CMYK (4-Color Process) and RGB.
RGB is simply an acronym for (r)ed, (b)lue & (g)reen. They are the three colors of light that are mixed to produce the spectrum of color displayed on your monitor (computer screen, television etc.).
CMYK is the acronym for (c)yan, (m)agenta, (y)ellow & blac(k). These four colors of ink (not light) are mixed in the printing process known as 4-color process to create a spectrum of printed color. The CMYK printing method is used to create color in our freedom 4-color process and litho product.
All monitors display color in RGB and F&M’s freedom and litho products (and your color printer) use CMYK. Instead of having CMYK color cartridges like your color printer, we use CMYK screens to screen print full color images.
THE PROBLEM
Some (not all) RGB colors can be reproduced using CMYK and some (not all) CMYK colors can be reproduced using RGB. This means there is a range of RGB colors that cannot be printed using CMYK. It also means there is a range of CMYK colors that can be printed that cannot be displayed on your monitor.
THE SOLUTION
When you are creating images that will be printed using our freedom process make sure that you are using the CMYK color mode and not RGB. We have also developed a color chart color pallet of 224 suggested CMYK colors that you can heat apply and use to select color. The downloadable color chart lists all of the CMYK percentages for each color. Do not trust your monitor. Only use the heat applied transfer version of the color pallet for color matching purposes. Ask your account manager to include a freedom color pallet in your next order. Have a question for Nathan? Send him an Email: Nathan@fmexpressions.com
Understanding how color will be produced is one of the more complicated issues of the printing industry. The goal of this installment is to provide you with a thorough understanding of color reproduction so that you can effectively translate your customers expectations into satisfied repeat business.
There are two types or modes of color: CMYK (4-Color Process) and RGB.
RGB is simply an acronym for (r)ed, (b)lue & (g)reen. They are the three colors of light that are mixed to produce the spectrum of color displayed on your monitor (computer screen, television etc.).
CMYK is the acronym for (c)yan, (m)agenta, (y)ellow & blac(k). These four colors of ink (not light) are mixed in the printing process known as 4-color process to create a spectrum of printed color. The CMYK printing method is used to create color in our freedom 4-color process and litho product.
All monitors display color in RGB and F&M’s freedom and litho products (and your color printer) use CMYK. Instead of having CMYK color cartridges like your color printer, we use CMYK screens to screen print full color images.
THE PROBLEM
Some (not all) RGB colors can be reproduced using CMYK and some (not all) CMYK colors can be reproduced using RGB. This means there is a range of RGB colors that cannot be printed using CMYK. It also means there is a range of CMYK colors that can be printed that cannot be displayed on your monitor.
THE SOLUTION
When you are creating images that will be printed using our freedom process make sure that you are using the CMYK color mode and not RGB. We have also developed a color chart color pallet of 224 suggested CMYK colors that you can heat apply and use to select color. The downloadable color chart lists all of the CMYK percentages for each color. Do not trust your monitor. Only use the heat applied transfer version of the color pallet for color matching purposes. Ask your account manager to include a freedom color pallet in your next order. Have a question for Nathan? Send him an Email: Nathan@fmexpressions.com
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