Color Matching:

Each program prints colors differently.  Each printer prints colors differently.  Every monitor displays colors differently. The goal of matching the color on your monitor to our printers is presently beyond our abilities. That being said, you can manage to get satisfactory color output by understanding the basics.

The color of your final prints depends on 5 things:

1. The color numbers in the original computer file

2. The program you use

3. The printer you use

4. The ink set in the printer (die or pigment inks)

5. The paper you print on.

If you can keep items 2 through 5 constant, you can vary the color of the original image to achieve satisfactory colors. This means only that by using the same program, printer, ink and paper, you will get the same color every time. This is our goal. Our colors have been consistent over a span of two years.

Ultimately, the only you can achieve satisfactory colors is with a test print.

There is still no way to match your monitor colors on any of our printers.

Digital Imaging has installed a spectrophotometer and software which has produced color profiles for each of our paper/ink sets. Download these ICM files. Follow the instructions for your operating system for installation on your computer. At the least, they will give a hint on what to expect with the colors of your image.

Nonetheless, there is still no way to match your monitor colors on any of our printers. (OK, blind dumb luck sometimes works but rarely)

Color Management is advancing all the time.  For more information see Mike Wilchek at Digital Imaging in the Commons Copy Center.