Adobe 13102498 - Photoshop CS3 - Mac User Manual page 491

Monitors display images using light, whereas desktop printers reproduce images using inks, dyes, or pigments. For
this reason, a desktop printer can't reproduce all the colors displayed on a monitor. However, by incorporating
certain procedures (such as a color management system) into your workflow, you can achieve predictable results
when printing your images to a desktop printer. Keep these considerations in mind when working with an image you
intend to print:
• If your image is in RGB mode, do not convert the document to CMYK mode when printing to a desktop printer.
Work entirely in RGB mode. As a rule, desktop printers are configured to accept RGB data and use internal
software to convert to CMYK. If you send CMYK data, most desktop printers apply a conversion anyway, with
unpredictable results.
• If you want to preview an image as printed to any device for which you have a profile, use the Proof Colors
command.
• To reproduce screen colors accurately on the printed page, you must incorporate color management into your
workflow. Work with a monitor that is calibrated and characterized. You should also create a custom profile specif-
ically for your printer and the paper you print on. Using the profile supplied with your printer (although better
than using no profile at all) yields only mediocre results.
See also
"Soft-proofing colors" on page 137
"About color profiles" on page 141
Print images
Photoshop provides the following printing commands:
Displays options specific to your printer, printer drivers, and operating system.
Page Setup
Displays the Print dialog box, where you can preview the print job and select the printer, number of copies,
Print
output options, and color management options.
Prints one copy of a file without displaying a dialog box.
Print One Copy
Set Photoshop print options and print
Choose File > Print.
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PHOTOSHOP CS3 484
User Guide