Color Management 101: Color Spaces

Color Management 101: Color Spaces

  Color Basics Color is dynamic. We all see it a little differently because color is the physical response of the eye to light + the mental interpretation of those responses. This makes printing color accurately a bit tricky until one has a basic understanding of color space. First, all…

Color Management 101: Printer Consistency

Color Management 101: Printer Consistency

Let’s be honest, no printing device is truly consistent. Print variance is inevitable. While minor variation over the course of weeks is normal, what you should be concerned with is either a sudden change outside the normal variation or a slow degradation over time. Some variation is mechanical in nature,…

Color Management 101: Process Control

Color Management 101: Process Control

When was the last time you spent hours selecting colors on your screen for a project to then send it to print and have your colors come out looking totally different? Color management is the key to keeping your color consistent. Companies who invest in managing their color workflows will…

What is a RIP and should you be printing with one?

What is a RIP and should you be printing with one?

A computer and printer speak different languages. The computer language needs to be translated to the printer language so the final print matches what is on the computer screen. If you were to travel to China without knowing Chinese you would need a translator to communicate with the locals. If…

(Quick Tip Video) Installing ICC profiles on a Mac and Windows

If printing and color are important to you, ICC profiles will make all the difference in getting the results you desire! Here is a quick video and instructions of how to install ICC profiles on both Mac and Windows platforms. Click here to go to windows instructions Mac Instructions 1)…

Printing with ICC Profiles

Printing with ICC Profiles

ICC profiles are one of the most misunderstood and misused tools for printing color. Many people do use them successfully, but many use them incorrectly, or don’t use them at all. Thus not achieving the full potential of the media or the printer. Keeping it simple, here are the three…

Matte Black vs. Photo Black

Matte Black vs. Photo Black

Most modern pigment inkjet printers use both a photo black ink and a matte black ink (not simultaneously though). In trying to develop a darker black ink for uncoated papers (cotton fine art, watercolor papers and other matte uncoated papers) the manufacturers were unable to get the ink to dry…