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Cover
(Color) Proofs
This
will also address the issue of RGB and CMYK—put the soap away,
mom, these words are OK.
RBG
stands for Red, Green and Blue. This is the color spectrum our
monitors “see” in. This is also how most digital cameras
and low-end desktop scanners see as well. So that’s OK, what
does that have to do with my cover.
The
print world is made up of 4 colors: CMYK; Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and
BlacK. So you can see where the K comes from? If they use B for
black, there could be confusion with Blue. When a computer converts a
picture in a photo-editing program such as Adobe Photoshop, it
converts the RGB to “look like” how it will print on a CMYK
press—after all, we’re still looking at our RGB monitor.
These CMYK colors are laid down in 4 different screen angles so the
dots don’t lay on top of each other, but beside each other to
trick our eyes into seeing purple or green or any color—all with
only 4 colors of ink.
OK
that was pretty “techie” and you didn’t need to know
that. All you want to know is what will it look like when printed AND
why doesn’t it look exactly like my monitor. That’s exactly
why we send you a proof to sign. Trust the proof over the monitor. I
can open your file on 3 different monitors and could get (more often
than not) 3 different results. Add the factor of ambient light (light
from the window, the lights in the ceiling or your florescent lights)
and you’ll get yet another color on your monitor.
Is
there a way to get my scanner, my monitor and my printer to match color?
Yes,
but it’s not cheap and that still may not match what the press
will print. Many desktop proofers are high-end inkjet printers that
are trying to emulate what a CMYK press will print. My personal
printer is 7 colors and there’s a “emulate a CMYK
press” setting.
What
will it really look like when it’s done?
The
simple answer: as close to the proof as possible—not the monitor.
(I’ll
cover coatings another day. Does a film laminate or UV coating
change my color cover? Yes It Can.)
Disclaimer: Not
responsible for advice, ideas, suggestions and/or
programs. By
mentioning these programs or any other program, I’m in no way
endorsing these or any other programs for you and/or your project.
Any advice, ideas or suggestions and/or programs mentioned are
considered my opinion only and am considered not liable. Not
responsible for sales or lack of sales of your project.
Brian@SunriseBooks.com
SunrisePublishing@gmail.com |
