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Printing Design Tip: How To Get The Right Color For Your Design

The most common mistake made in any marketing design is the color. It doesn't matter that the color in your door hangers for example look great in your screen, not to mention that it's perfect when you had your file printed from your laser printer. It is frustrating when you come out from your print provider and find out that what you have in your hands now is not the print job you wanted in the first place.

The output is not what you paid for. Moreover, the color definitely is not what you have seen from your print files and print samples. Worse, the colors are definitely out of proportion to what you want to represent in your door hangers.

So where did it go wrong? Whose fault is it? Who is to blame?

Actually, there is none to blame. Unless you would want to have this incident with your marketing collaterals, repeated, you might want to start considering several valuable door hanger printing tips for your next project.

Screen vs. printer This is one rule you need to remember ' the color in your computer screen and even your laser printer does not need to have the same resolution to the image setter or printer.

The reason behind it is that there are different color applications between that of your computer screen and high-resolution print equipment. A computer screen utilizes RGB for its color scheme while the standard printing equipment applies CMYK for each job. So to have the results you wanted, always ask for a proof from your print provider before you allow them to run your print job.

CMYK vs. RGB For full color printing with color separation, always remember to use CMYK instead of RGB. As your computer screen would have RGB, make sure to convert your color scheme to CMYK first before you send it out to your printing company. It would be easier for both of you if you do it this way. You are sure that you have the color you want, and your printer would not anymore have an extra job of converting your RGB colors to CMYK.

Always make a color list. No matter what program you use, making a list of all the colors you have applied to your door hangers for example can help a great deal in ensuring that your graphics have the exact shades. Indicate all the colors so none would be left out when the printer runs your collateral through the press. In addition, you will be saving yourself money and time because your printer does not need to produce more negatives just because you were not able to provide accurate labels for your design.

Finally, do not forget to include these additional tips to get your print job right:

* For lighter shades, consider combinations of two colors instead of three or more. A change in density, even the minimum amount, can greatly affect your color appearance.

* For better results for secondary colors, consider applying a fifth shade of spot color. It entails additional costs though so be sure you need a four-color printing so that you are payment would be worth it.

* For greater quality of your four-color printing of your door hangers, utilize the four primary colors as often as you can.

Learn more about door hangers printing.

About the Author:

Kaye Z. Marks is an avid follower and writer of the developments in the color printing and online printing industries.

One Response

1. Rochester Quick Print on March 3, 2011:
   It's not easy finding information on this topic that is well-written, easy to read and easy to grasp. That's why I felt moved to put a comment here to let you know this is great.