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An accurate color copy is critical when publishing materials for your products, services, and brand. You don’t want to end up with numerous copies that don’t match your vision. Here are a few tips to ensure accuracy with every print run. 

How to Perfect Color Copy Accuracy

1. Understand RGB & CMYK

The color profile used when designing will make the difference in print. Most computer monitors use RGB—red, green, blue—by default, but printing companies and personal color copiers tend to use CMYK, which is cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. If you don’t use what will be utilized during printing, there will be a noticeable color difference.

2. Calibrate Your Monitor

Calibrating your monitor helps you see the best range of tones. Newer, high-quality monitors usually come already calibrated, but if you’ve changed the contrast and brightness settings, you won’t see accurate colors as you work. There are color calibration tools online that measure light produced by the screen and ambient light in your work area. They then adjust the colors based on the surroundings so what you are seeing is as close to real as possible.

color copies3. Print Out Proofs

Testing out a hard copy will give you the chance to look for color differences and mistakes before producing a large number. If you don’t have a color printer, ask your printing shop for a one-off as a proof.

4. Check Your Work Area

Your surroundings will impact what you see on the screen, especially glare on the monitor. While an anti-glare monitor helps, you should still move your desk to face different angles so direct sunlight is not changing your color perception. On the other hand, a dark workspace will also affect the color accuracy on your monitor. Find the best balance of light for the truest representation of your color copies.

5. Trust Pantone®

Many industries rely on the Pantone color library when selecting the tones of their work. The numbered color swatches in their reference books are compatible with design programs like Photoshop®. Using this guide can also help you explain to your printer the exact color you’re looking for in the output.

 

At Professional Image, we bring more than 40 years of service in Honolulu to every job to ensure your color copies are accurate. From signs and banners to business cards and branding, our copy and print services offer a professional touch to all of your promotional materials and documents. Call us at (808) 532-4777 to discuss your project, or visit our website (www.proimagehawaii.com) to request a quote.

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