Appendix B: Color Management; Controlling Printed Color - Canon ColorPASS-Z5000 Color Manual

B
B-1 Color Management
Appendix B:
Color
Management
This appendix provides information on controlling and managing color output in
order to achieve predictable color results. It also discusses the basics of color
management.

Controlling printed color

When working with color materials, whether they be presentations, illustrations, or
complicated page designs, you make aesthetic decisions about the colors you use. Once
you have decided on your goal, you then need to realize it in print. Your color printing
system becomes an ally in this creative process to the extent that results are predictable.
• If you designed a poster to print on the ColorPASS, you want the printed colors to
match the design specification.
• If you are printing presentations on the ColorPASS, you want to preserve the vivid
colors you see on your monitor.
• If you are working with color that will be printed on an offset press, you want the
ColorPASS output to match other prepress proofs or PANTONE color swatch
books.
The type of print job and the final print device, ColorPASS or offset press, determine
the methodology you use to achieve the best results.
No matter what your goals are, two factors always impact color print output: print
device consistency and the range of colors the device can print, known as its gamut.
These concepts are covered briefly in this chapter. Creating successful color documents
and presentations also requires an understanding of color management software as it is
implemented by the ColorPASS and on your desktop computer. Most of this chapter is
devoted to discussing the various elements of color management that contribute to
predictable color results.