FAQ about color printing
What is RGB color?
Red, green, and blue light can be added together in various amounts to produce a large range of colors observed in nature.
For example, red and green can be combined to create yellow. Televisions and computer monitors create colors in this manner.
RGB color is a method of describing colors by indicating the amount of red, green, or blue needed to produce a certain color.
What is CMYK color?
Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks or toners can be printed in various amounts to produce a large range of colors observed
in nature. For example, cyan and yellow can be combined to create green. Printing presses, inkjet printers, and color laser
printers create colors in this manner. CMYK color is a method of describing colors by indicating the amount of cyan, magenta,
yellow, and black needed to reproduce a particular color.
How is color specified in a document to be printed?
Software programs typically specify document color using RGB or CMYK color combinations. Additionally, they allow users to
modify the color of each object in a document. For more information, see the software program Help topics.
How does the printer know what color to print?
When a user prints a document, information describing the type and color of each object is sent to the printer. The color
information is passed through color conversion tables that translate the color into the appropriate amounts of cyan, magenta,
yellow, and black toner needed to produce the desired color. The object information determines the application of color
conversion tables. For example, it is possible to apply one type of color conversion table to text while applying a different color
conversion table to photographic images.
Why doesn't the printed color match the color I see on the computer screen?
The color conversion tables used in Auto Color Correction mode generally approximate the colors of a standard computer
monitor. However, because of technology differences that exist between printers and monitors, there are many colors that
can also be affected by monitor variations and lighting conditions. For recommendations on how the printer color sample
pages may be useful in solving certain color‑matching problems, see the question, “How can I match a particular color (such
as a corporate logo)?”
The printed page appears tinted. Can I adjust the color?
Sometimes a printed page may appear tinted (for example, everything printed seems to be too red). This can be caused by
environmental conditions, paper type, lighting conditions, or user preference. In these instances, adjust the Color Balance
setting to create a more preferable color. Color Balance provides the user with the ability to make subtle adjustments to the
amount of toner being used in each color plane. Selecting positive or negative values for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black
(from the Color Balance menu) will slightly increase or decrease the amount of toner used for the chosen color. For example,
if a printed page has a red tint, then decreasing both magenta and yellow could potentially improve the color balance.
My color transparencies seem dark when they are projected. Is there anything I can do to improve the color?
This problem most commonly occurs when projecting transparencies with reflective overhead projectors. To obtain the highest
projected color quality, transmissive overhead projectors are recommended. If a reflective projector must be used, then
adjusting the Toner Darkness setting to 1, 2, or 3 will lighten the transparency. Make sure to print on the recommended type
of color transparencies.
What is manual color correction?
When manual color correction is enabled, the printer employs user‑selected color conversion tables to process objects.
However, Color Correction must be set to Manual, or no user‑defined color conversion will be implemented. Manual color
correction settings are specific to the type of object being printed (text, graphics, or images), and how the color of the object
is specified in the software program (RGB or CMYK combinations).
Color quality guide
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