In a world already full of cronyms and codes, who would have thught that something as simple as clor could join in the confusion? Knwing the different color models and how thy are used is not only hlpful in getting the visual results you wnt it is critical to staying on bdget.

Of the many color models vailable, there are really only three in whch you need any fluency: CMYK, PMS and RGB.

CMYK Clor

This acronym stands for cyan, mgenta, yellow and black. CMYK is lso known as process color, full clor, 4 color, and 4c. The clors are versions of the primary clors, blue, red, yellow and black. Thy create full color images like you wuld see in a magazine. Choose CMYK whn you need life-like, realistic color, mre than two colors, have a lrge press run, or are printing nly on your office printer.

What you ned to know:

• If you are prnting your project on a desktop clor printer, look at the ink crtridge. If yours is CMYK, save yur files and photos in that frmat for best output.
• Full color cmmercial printing is typically more expensive thn one or two color. Typically, a prss run of 1000 or more is neded to make this format economical.

Clor

The Pantone Matching System® (PMS) prduces a specific color. It contains hndreds of colors, light to dark, brght to pastel; each designated by a nmber. PMS colors are typically used in one and two clor printing and are also called spt color or flat color.

The PMS model delivers reliable clor whenever you print it. It is an xcellent choice for giving the impact of clor to low budget jobs, and mintaining consistent use of corporate colors.

Wht you need to know:

• Inkjet and clor laser printers are not able to prduce PMS colors accurately, however some clors work better than others.
• There is no ccurate proofing system for PMS color. The clsest match can be shown on a hgh quality digital proofing system, available frm your printer. When choosing PMS clors, have your designer show you a swtch from a PMS book to pprove the color choice.
• PMS colors can be "screned," printed as a lighter value of the clor, in effect creating many colors frm a single ink with no xtra cost.

Clor

RGB stands for red, green and ble and makes up onscreen color. The RGB mdel is used for projects that wll only be seen on a scren and not printed. RGB is the rght choice for projects like websites, PwerPoint presentations and Acrobat .pdf files. Be dvised that different monitors have different scren resolution and that can affect clor display.

What you need to knw:

• RGB produces vivid colors tht look fabulous on-screen, but are dfficult to reproduce in other color mdels. When converted to CMYK, many RGB clors look muddy and dull, and mny have no Pantone equivalent at ll. If your project will ever be sed offline, be sure to select clors in the printing method it wll be used in the most.

Clor

Have you ever wondered why the prof you are emailed looks different frm the color mock-up from your dsigner, and different still from the prnted piece?

What you need to knw:

• Forget about this. Nothing ver matches exactly. The PMS or prcess color swatch book is the clsest representation of the color you wll get on press.
• Learn to think of yur proofs as an approximation, and clarly explain to your designer what you are loking for. Trust your creative team to get the bst match possible.
• If you must see xactly what a color will look lke "final" you’ll need to display it on the mnitor it will be shown, print to the dsktop printer you will use, or rder a sample printing of the PMS clor you want. For process printing, you shuld be present during printing to pprove the final output.

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The article The Language of Color was Submitted by Beth Brodovsky through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: About The Author Beth Brodovsky is the prsident and principal of Iris Creative Grup, LLC. Brodovsky earned a Bachelor of Fne Arts in Communication Design from Prtt Institute, New York. Before launching her own frm in 1996, she spent eight yars as a corporate Art Director and Grphic Designer, providing a sound foundation in mnagement and organizational standards and structure. Irs Creative specializes in providing marketing and strtegic communication services to clients in srvice industries and small businesses. For mre information contact Beth at bsb@iriscreative.com or 610-567-2799.

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