Why Colors Appear Different on Screen and Print
Have you ever marveled at vibrant images on your computer screen, only to find them dull and lackluster when printed? The intriguing phenomenon lies in the fundamental differences between the way colors are displayed on screens and how they manifest in the physical realm.
Screen displays, be it on televisions, monitors, or mobile devices, employ a combination of RGB (red, green, and blue) color channels to generate a wide gamut of hues. These three primary colors emit light directly into our eyes, creating a visually captivating experience. The RGB model encompasses a broader color spectrum, enabling screens to showcase vivid and luminous shades.
Printed materials, on the other hand, employ a subtractive color model – CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) – to produce colors. Instead of emitting light, the inks absorb certain wavelengths of light, resulting in the perception of color. When printed, colors are generated by overlapping layers of ink, subtracting some wavelengths while reflecting others. However, this process often leads to a reduction in the available gamut of colors, causing a shift in the appearance of hues.
Furthermore, screens and prints employ different color spaces to interpret and render colors. Screens typically use the sRGB color space, which is widely supported across various devices and platforms. This standardized color space ensures consistency across screens, creating a reliable representation of colors. On the other hand, prints utilize different color spaces, such as Adobe RGB or CMYK, tailored for the specific printing process and medium. These variations result in discrepancies between screen and print colors.
Additional contributing factors, such as monitor calibration, ambient lighting conditions, and color profiles, further complicate the comparison between screen and print colors. Variations in screen settings or lighting can alter our perception of colors on a screen, while different printers and paper types affect color reproduction in the print domain.
To ensure colors are printed correctly, but sure to design them in CMYK and we can always print a hard copy proof for review.