Color Management

Color is perhaps the most important element of a printed piece. Beautiful print quality can be easily overshadowed by images that look unrealistic due to poor color management. Unfortunately, many print projects are designed in less-than-ideal environments for judging and correcting color.

However, there are still a few things you can do to swing the balance back in your favor. Here are a few tips to help you properly manage color:

Paper Selection is Critical
Images look far different on a computer screen than they do on paper - even if your monitor has been color calibrated. Your paper selection impacts both print quality and color accuracy. Color will need to be adjusted if you’re printing on a white paper stock versus a cream-colored paper. The brightness, whiteness and type of coating can also affect color.

Start With a Proper Proof
To be sure your color is accurate, inspect a color proof before the final document is released. In cases where exact color is critical, consider requesting a contract proof instead of a digital color proof. Although it is more costly and time-consuming, the accuracy of a contract proof is a must for managing color on critical projects.

Leave the Scanning to the Experts
Scanning can be a complex process, and basic tabletop scanners will often yield less than accurate results if color is critical. For the best results, let us handle your scans. We have the equipment, expertise and proofing devices to give you the results you want quickly and accurately.

Plan for Dot Gain
Dot gain refers to the increase in size of the tiny dots of ink that are transferred to the paper during printing. The amount of dot gain depends on the type of stock being used. An uncoated stock typically has more dot gain than coated stock. Dot gain can result in images that appear muddy if not managed properly. To reduce this problem on uncoated stock, it may help to reduce the shadow and mid-tone areas of photos.

The Springfield Printing Advantage
The subjective nature of color can make it a challenge to manage. At Springfield Printing, we specialize in helping you achieve the most accurate results possible. Involve us early in the project design phase to let us help you manage color – and your client’s expectations – on your next print project.