What is color? It is defined, via Google, as “the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light.” The result of this, is that color is a subjective concept, people will interpret it differently. In the world of digital printing this can be a very trying subject, from the way the printer and the customer interprets a shade blue for example, to the way your computer handles it. Unlike the press, digital printing can be a color nightmare.
A manual I was printing recently, for example, had color covers printed on card stock. When printed for the first time, the shade of blue on the paper was much darker than the actual color on the screen. There could be many reasons for this differentiation, such as the monitor, 4K versus 1080p, the difference between a matte and glossy print, and so on. In this case, it happened to be the difference between RGB and CMYK, and how each of those color processes interpret color.
Our own eyes, however, are the biggest culprit in our frustrations in dealing with color. Our eyes play tricks on us, sometimes the angle we’re looking at the print can distort the color, or simply the way our eyes are built can have an effect. The best solution for that is color books, Illustrator as a ton built in and using the settings, doing a little experimenting, and matching via the physical books is the best solution. As for dealing with customers and how they interpret color, a Tylenol is probably your best bet.
So, what is color? Color is simply how an object reflects or emits light, and we have harnessed that to create spectacular and beautiful brochures, business cards, and photographic prints. But, it’s also subject to interpretation, and until every human eye can perfectly be in synch, then color will continue to be a brilliant and irritating world.
Gateway Printing
174 Main Street
Wareham, Ma 02571
Gatewayprinting@gmail.com
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