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Working with Color
Controlling printed color
When working with color materials, whether they be presentations,
illustrations, or complicated page designs, you make aesthetic decisions
about the colors you use. Once you have decided on your goal, you then
need to realize it in print. Your color printing system becomes an ally in this
creative process to the extent that you can get results that are
predictable.
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If you have designed a brochure to print on the KX-P8420, you want the
printed colors to match the design specification.
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If you are printing presentations on the KX-P8420, you want to preserve
the vivid colors in the monitor display.
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If you are working with color that will print on press, you want the
KX-P8420 output to match prepress proofs.
The type of print job and the final print device either the KX-P8420 printer or
an offset press, determine the methodology you use to achieve optimal
results.
No matter what your goals are, two hardware factors always impact color
print output: print device consistency and the range of colors the print
device can print, known as its gamut. These factors are covered briefly in
this chapter. Creating successful color documents and presentations also
requires an understanding of color management software as it is
implemented by the KX-P8420 and on your desktop computer. Most of this
chapter is devoted to discussing the various elements of color management
that contribute to predictable color results.
The factors described below affect print device consistency, as well as color
fidelity and overall output quality.
The paper and toner used by the print device can greatly affect printed
color. For best results, use the consumables recommended by the
manufacturer of your printer.
Problems such as streaking and insufficient or excessive amounts of one or
more toners arise when a print device does not receive periodic
maintenance. In addition to having it serviced regularly, monitor the color
production of your printer by making standard test prints at regular intervals.
You can do this easily by printing the KX-P8420 Test Page from the front
panel. Save the prints and show them to your system or site administrator if
recalibration becomes necessary.
Maintaining print
device consistency
Paper stock and
toner
Maintenance
