Working with colors is sometimes difficult. It requires both artistry and technical know-how. This is one of the most pressing concerns anyone should think about when deciding on a color printing company. For that matter, pursuing a color printing project.
There are those people who are born with the proverbial eye. They can tell instinctively if the mix of colors create good photographs or excellent ones. We, on the average, also have that sense, but we can only distinguish good photographs from bad ones. Understanding the basics of colors and how they work can further develop our appreciation for them.
But knowing and creating are two different things. We may know what a good print looks like, but creating them involves technical know-how. In taking pictures, we need to know how to manipulate the camera to capture the image we want. When talking to commercial printers, we must know exactly how we want our pictures to come out.
Working with your files or medium may be difficult. Don’t let all your hard work go to waste. Remember these pieces of information and achieve a successful color printing project easily.
Evaluating Photographs
1. Contrast: This is the difference in luminosity between the brightest and darkest areas of a print. Images are usually comprised of three tones: Highlights, mid-tones, and shadows. There should be equal portions of highlights, mid-tones, and shadows.
2. Focal Point: Make sure that your file or final design has a focal point. This is the object that draws in the attention of your viewer. The focal point may be an object or a focal color , anything that holds the composition together.
The background color should contrast this focal element to make it stand out. Unnecessary colors can be blurred using shallow depth of field, or can be cropped out during framing.
Getting Printed
1. High resolution files make high resolution prints. Always start with high resolution files of at least 300 dpi for your prints. If you want to print them in wide-format, a 150 dpi may do. If you are unsure, consult your printing company.
2. Save your files in .tif and .eps which are lossless files. You can also save them in different files such as jpeg., psd. and the like.
3. Always ask for a digital proof. The colors produced through light (your computer monitor) and prints in CMYK (the colors of ink) are two different kinds of color systems. Some color information may be lost or compromised in the process.
4. Paper material and finishing affects the saturation or vibrancy of the colors. Matte finish increases the surface texture so the colors become more subdued. Glossy finishes, particularly the high gloss coating, reflects and absorbs more light, so the colors are more vibrant.
5. Make sure your digital prints last as long as you planned to use them. Make a request for archival inks for large format prints such as banners.
6. If you intend to frame your print in glass, have your picture printed on matte or semi-gloss paper. High-gloss prints under a glass create too much glare from the reflection, and may be difficult to view from a distance.
7. Also, always remember to save your files in CMYK. RGB is not processed by printers. If you are persistent and you want to proceed printing your files, all bright colors would not translate unto the paper.
8. Added to this, flatten your layered designs.
Review your color printing options and just what important details you should consider in your print projects. Aside from colors, note too other pieces of useful information on design and choosing a color printing company among others.
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