Lexmark XC4342, User Manual

Page: 325 / 350

FAQ about color printing
What is RGB color?
RGB color is a method of describing colors by indicating the amount of red, green, or blue used to produce
a certain color. Red, green, and blue light can be added in various amounts to produce a large range of colors
observed in nature. Computer screens, scanners, and digital cameras use this method to display colors.
What is CMYK color?
CMYK color is a method of describing colors by indicating the amount of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black
used to reproduce a particular color. Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks or toners can be printed in various
amounts to produce a large range of colors observed in nature. Printing presses, inkjet printers, and color
laser printers create colors in this manner.
How is color specified in a document to be printed?
Software programs are used to specify and modify the document color using RGB or CMYK color
combinations. For more information, see the software program Help topics.
How does the printer know what color to print?
When printing a document, information describing the type and color of each object is sent to the printer and
is passed through color conversion tables. Color is translated into the appropriate amounts of cyan, magenta,
yellow, and black toner used to produce the color you want. The object information determines the application
of color conversion tables. For example, it is possible to apply one type of color conversion table to text while
applying a different color conversion table to photographic images.
What is manual color correction?
When manual color correction is enabled, the printer employs user
‑
selected color conversion tables to
process objects. Manual color correction settings are specific to the type of object being printed (text,
graphics, or images). It is also specific to how the color of the object is specified in the software program
(RGB or CMYK combinations). To apply a different color conversion table manually, see
“Modifying the colors
in printed output” on page 324 .
If the software program does not specify colors with RGB or CMYK combinations, then manual color correction
is not useful. It is also not effective if the software program or the computer operating system controls the
adjustment of colors. In most situations, setting the Color Correction to Auto generates preferred colors for
the documents.
How can I match a particular color (such as a corporate logo)?
From the printer Quality menu, nine types of Color Samples sets are available. These sets are also available
from the Color Samples page of the Embedded Web Server. Selecting any sample set generates
multiple
‑
page prints consisting of hundreds of colored boxes. Each box contains a CMYK or RGB combination,
depending on the table selected. The observed color of each box is obtained by passing the CMYK or RGB
combination labeled on the box through the selected color conversion table.
By examining Color Samples sets, you can identify the box with color closest to the color being matched.
The color combination labeled on the box can then be used for modifying the color of the object in a software
program. For more information, see the software program Help topics. Manual color correction may be
necessary to use the selected color conversion table for the particular object.
Selecting which Color Samples set to use for a particular color
‑
matching problem depends on:
•
The Color Correction setting being used (Auto, Off, or Manual)
•
The type of object being printed (text, graphics, or images)
•
How the color of the object is specified in the software program (RGB or CMYK combinations)
Troubleshoot a problem 325