When preparing your artwork for print, it's important to understand that the colors you see on your screen may not exactly match the final printed product. This difference occurs because screens use the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model, while printing processes use the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black/Registration) color model.
Why Colours Differ
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RGB vs. CMYK: RGB is used for digital screens and produces bright, vibrant colors by mixing light. CMYK, on the other hand, uses ink to produce colors and has a more limited range, often resulting in slightly duller or different tones than what you see on-screen.
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Screen Brightness: The brightness of your screen, due to backlighting, can make colors appear more vivid and bright compared to how they will look in print, where colors rely on reflected light from the paper.
Recommendations for Achieving Accurate Print Colors
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Get a Proof Copy: Before committing to a full print run or putting your book on sale, we strongly recommend ordering a single copy of your book. This allows you to see how the colors appear in print and can make any necessary adjustments or fine-tuning.
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Use a CMYK Workflow:
- If your design software supports it, work in CMYK mode from the start. This will give you a more accurate representation of how your colors will appear in print.
- Convert all source images to CMYK using professional software like Adobe Photoshop before placing them into your page layout program.
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Color Profiles: For the best color accuracy, use a FOGRA color profile during the conversion process if available. This profile helps to standardize color across different printing processes, ensuring more consistent results.
What to Do If Your Printed Book Has Significant Color Issues
If you receive an order where the cover or text colors are drastically different resulting in a book that is unsellable, please don't hesitate to contact us.
To assist us in addressing the problem, please email us at customers@bookvault.app. Be sure to include as much information as possible, including clear images that compare the copy with a previously printed version. This will help us understand the issue better and work towards a solution - or advise if within tolerance.
PLEASE NOTE:
Even with careful preparation, there can still be variances between one printed book and another. These differences can be due to a variety of factors, including:
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Machine Calibration: The color consistency can be affected by the time elapsed since the last calibration of the printing machine, and when the books is printed.
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Temperature and Humidity: Environmental conditions can influence how inks interact with paper, leading to slight color shifts.
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Developer Units: Developer units are consumable parts of the printing machine that are routinely replaced. The color output may vary depending on whether the developer unit is brand new or nearing the end of its lifecycle.