How do I get the correct colors from the printers and plotter?
Answer
To get accurate color reproduction, the output device and the display must be color calibrated. While this is possible in an isolated design environment it is not practical in a college space.
In the absence of calibrated equipment, the most accurate method to guarantee printing a specific color is to print a color table on the device. This table can serve as a reference to generate an accurate production of a given CMYK value.
We maintain a portfolio of the Pantone+ CMYK Coated swatch table available in most design products as it is reproduced on the HP Plotter and the Sharp Multi-Function Printers. While this portfolio cannot be checked out, students, faculty, and staff may come by the Owens Resource Center to select a color for use in their project.
Two points to note: First, the color displayed on your screen may not appear to be exactly the color selected, but it will print the same color as you selected in the swatch table. Second, because of the technical differences between Pantone process printing, and CMYK print production, colors printed on the laser printers and plotter may vary slightly from the actual Pantone process colors. You thought this was simple, right? For even more background click the two links below.