Solving Color Quality Problems - IBM Infoprint Color 1354 User Reference Manual

Solving color quality problems

This section helps answer some basic color-related questions and describes how some of the features
provided in the Color Menu can be used to solve typical color problems.
Note: You should also read "Solving print quality problems" on page 138, which provides
solutions for common print quality problems, some of which may affect the color quality
of the printed output.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about color printing
What is RGB color?
Red, green, and blue light can be added together in various amounts to produce a large range of colors
observed in nature. For example, red and green light can be combined to create yellow light. Televisions
and computer monitors create colors in this manner. RGB color is a method of describing colors by
indicating the amount of red, green, and blue light needed to reproduce a particular color.
What is CMYK color?
Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks or toners can be printed in various amounts to produce a large
range of colors observed in nature. For example, cyan and yellow can be combined to create green.
Printing presses, inkjet printers, and color laser printers create colors in this manner. CMYK color is a
method of describing colors by indicating the amount of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black needed to
reproduce a particular color.
How is color specified in a document to be printed?
Software applications typically specify document color using RGB or CMYK color combinations.
Additionally, they commonly let users modify the color of each object in a document. Since the procedures
to modify colors vary depending upon the application, refer to the software application's Help section for
instruction.
How does the printer know what color to print?
When a user prints a document, information describing the type and color of each object in the document
is sent to the printer. The color information is passed through color conversion tables that translate the
color into appropriate amounts of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner needed to produce the desired
color. The object type information lets different color conversion tables be used for different types of
objects. For example, it is possible to apply one type of color conversion table to text while applying a
different color conversion table to photographic images.
Should I use the PostScript or PCL driver for the best color? What driver settings should I
use for the best color?
The PostScript driver is strongly recommended for best color quality. The default settings in the PostScript
driver provide preferred color quality for the majority of printouts.
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