Do You Need Color Management?; Creating A Viewing Environment For Color Management - Adobe Photoshop CS6 User Manual

Do you need color management?

Without a color management system, your color specifications are device-dependent. You might not need color management if your production
process is tightly controlled for one medium only. For example, you or your print service provider can tailor CMYK images and specify color values
for a known, specific set of printing conditions.
The value of color management increases when you have more variables in your production process. Color management is recommended if you
anticipate reusing color graphics for print and online media, using various kinds of devices within a single medium (such as different printing
presses), or if you manage multiple workstations.
You will benefit from a color management system if you need to accomplish any of the following:
Get predictable and consistent color output on multiple output devices including color separations, your desktop printer, and your monitor.
Color management is especially useful for adjusting color for devices with a relatively limited gamut, such as a four-color process printing
press.
Accurately soft-proof (preview) a color document on your monitor by making it simulate a specific output device. (Soft-proofing is subject to
the limitations of monitor display, and other factors such as room lighting conditions.)
Accurately evaluate and consistently incorporate color graphics from many different sources if they also use color management, and even in
some cases if they don't.
Send color documents to different output devices and media without having to manually adjust colors in documents or original graphics. This
is valuable when creating images that will eventually be used both in print and online.
Print color correctly to an unknown color output device; for example, you could store a document online for consistently reproducible
on-demand color printing anywhere in the world.

Creating a viewing environment for color management

Your work environment influences how you see color on your monitor and on printed output. For best results, control the colors and light in your
work environment by doing the following:
View your documents in an environment that provides a consistent light level and color temperature. For example, the color characteristics of
sunlight change throughout the day and alter the way colors appear on your screen, so keep shades closed or work in a windowless room.
To eliminate the blue-green cast from fluorescent lighting, you can install D50 (5000° Kelvin) lighting. You can also view printed documents
using a D50 lightbox.
View your document in a room with neutral-colored walls and ceiling. A room's color can affect the perception of both monitor color and
printed color. The best color for a viewing room is neutral gray. Also, the color of your clothing reflecting off the glass of your monitor may
affect the appearance of colors on-screen.
Remove colorful background patterns on your monitor desktop. Busy or bright patterns surrounding a document interfere with accurate color
perception. Set your desktop to display neutral grays only.
View document proofs in the real-world conditions under which your audience will see the final piece. For example, you might want to see
how a housewares catalog looks under the incandescent light bulbs used in homes, or view an office furniture catalog under the fluorescent
lighting used in offices. However, always make final color judgements under the lighting conditions specified by the legal requirements for
contract proofs in your country.
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