COLOUR MANAGEMENT: ENSURING THE ACCURACY OF YOUR PRINT PROOFS
Last Updated on August 14, 2023 by Christian Ralph
There’s nothing more frustrating than having your logos, proposals or photos print in the wrong colour. Vibrant reds that become orange, or deep blues that skew purple, are among the many branding problems that UK businesses encounter when printed proofs do not match the colour images that appear on their computer screens.
Typically businesses involved with photography, web development or graphic design are the most affected, but any company can experience issues with the accuracy of their colour proofs. Incorrect monitor settings are usually to blame, however, the type of ink or paper used can also contribute to the problem. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to help you achieve colour accuracy:
- Check the settings on your computer monitor – your settings will differ depending on whether you work on a MAC or a PC. Windows requires users to access their Control Panel and create a colour profile for their printer. Information about how to do this is located in the Windows ‘Help and Support’ section. MAC computers offer a Display Calibrator Assistant to walk you through the process under System Preferences > Display. Your image files should also by viewed in RGB settings (red, green, blue), rather than CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black), as this is the setting printer software is designed to operate in.
- Print on the right kind of paper – the colour of your images can vary dramatically based on the kind of paper your office uses. Inkjet printers work best with inkjet paper, as it allows the ink to penetrate without smudging or bleeding. Colours may also appear muted if you are printing on some brands of recycled paper, rather than products made with virgin fibres. Luckily, there are a wide range of high-quality recycled papers on the market, so if you’re experiencing issues, consider switching your brand.
- Use ink designed for your printer – while third-party inks can be less expensive, you might pay in terms of the quality of your colour prints. Inks recommended by the manufacturer are specifically designed to work with the colour profiles programmed into your printer, and are less likely to shift or fade.
- Check the lighting around your monitor – it seems simple, but a dimly lit room, or looking at a screen from the wrong angle, can drastically affect how images appear on a computer monitor. Ensure that your workspace is well-lit and that your screen is sitting at the appropriate viewing angle for your desk.
Although it is difficult to make images on a computer screen match a printed proof exactly, many of the latest colour printers from top manufacturers like OKI, Lexmark and HP, automatically configure their colour management settings to fit your computer screen.
Several printer models are known for their delivery of accurate colour proofs, including:
