Printing from Windows – PCL > 17
C
OLOUR
MATCHING
F
ACTORS
THAT
AFFECT
COLOUR
PRINTING
There are many factors that affect colour printing. Some of the most important factors are:
>
the differences between the range of colours a monitor can reproduce versus the
range of colours that a printer can reproduce (See
page 17
).
>
monitor settings (See
page 17
).
>
colour settings in your software application (See
page 18
).
>
how your software application displays colour (See
page 18
).
>
colour settings in your printer driver (See
page 18
).
>
viewing (lighting) conditions (See
page 18
).
>
paper type (See
page 18
).
Monitor colours vs. printer colours
(Differences between the range of colours a monitor or printer can reproduce)
Neither a printer nor a monitor can reproduce the full range of colours seen by the human
eye. Each device is limited to a certain range of colours.
>
A printer cannot reproduce all of the colours displayed on a monitor.
>
A monitor cannot reproduce all of the colours printed by a printer.
Both devices use very different technologies to represent colour.
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A monitor uses Red, Green and Blue (RGB) phosphors (or LCDs).
>
A printer uses Cyan, Yellow, Magenta and Black (CMYK) toner or ink.
Very vivid colours (such as intense reds and blues) can be displayed on a monitor. These
same colours cannot be easily produced on any printer using toner or ink.
There are certain colours (for example, some yellows), that can be printed, but cannot be
displayed accurately on a monitor.
These differences between monitor colours and printer colours are the main reasons why
printed colours do not always match the colours displayed on screen.
Monitor settings
The brightness and contrast controls on your monitor can change how your document looks
on-screen.
Your monitor colour temperature also influences how “warm” or “cool” the colours look.
Several of the colour matching options make reference to your monitor’s colour
temperature.
Many monitors allow you to adjust the colour temperature through their control panels.
There are several settings found on a typical monitor:
k=degrees Kelvin, a measurement of temperature
5000k or D50
Warmest, yellowish
lighting
Typically used in graphics arts
environments.
6500k or D65
Cooler
Approximates daylight conditions.
9300k
Cool
The default setting for many monitors and
television sets.
