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General Categories => Geekapalooza => Technical Quandries => Topic started by: dazie on January 19, 2006, 01:51:55 PM

Title: Color printing question
Post by: dazie on January 19, 2006, 01:51:55 PM
When I printed from a pdf this morning on my new big printer, spots that were supposed to come out a dark blue came out more purple.  Any suggestions as to how to fix that>?
Title: Re: Color printing question
Post by: Infobahn on January 19, 2006, 01:55:38 PM
All the inks full?  Is the PDF calibrated color?  Can you print from a non-PDF?
Title: Re: Color printing question
Post by: dazie on January 19, 2006, 01:56:19 PM
Quote from: Infobahn on January 19, 2006, 01:55:38 PM
All the inks full?  Is the PDF calibrated color?  Can you print from a non-PDF?

Yes, dont' remember, not in this case.  *grin*

I'll go check the color calibration stuff.
Title: Re: Color printing question
Post by: cnamon on January 19, 2006, 01:58:08 PM
Check the oil.
Title: Re: Color printing question
Post by: Infobahn on January 19, 2006, 02:09:15 PM
Do a test print of a color chart (there should be one built in, or on the install CD)

If the colors are correct (as much as you can tell), then it's the file.  If the test doc is off, then something is up with the printer.
Title: Re: Color printing question
Post by: dazie on January 19, 2006, 02:35:40 PM
The test print came out fine, quite stunning colors actually.

That means it's the .pdf.  Oh joy.  That means that for every poster I print, I have to do a test print first.  OH JOY. 

Stupid people making stupid posters in stupid non-graphic programs and expecting them to print right.
Title: Re: Color printing question
Post by: Infobahn on January 19, 2006, 02:37:23 PM
You don't have to test print before every poster.

I would let the person know they aren't going to get the colors they want, and let them fix the file.
Title: Re: Color printing question
Post by: dazie on January 19, 2006, 02:49:21 PM
Quote from: Infobahn on January 19, 2006, 02:37:23 PM
You don't have to test print before every poster.

I would let the person know they aren't going to get the colors they want, and let them fix the file.

yeeah.  In Candide's world that would be how it works.  I've given everyone the colors to use, and told them how to do it, but it's still my butt if they don't come out right.  Sucks eh?

I'll do what I can to work with it, and then at the end of the day there's only so much right!
Title: Re: Color printing question
Post by: Infobahn on January 19, 2006, 03:12:45 PM
Just tell them that you are printing the colors THEY asked for.  The way they look on their screens don't count.
Title: Re: Color printing question
Post by: dazie on January 19, 2006, 03:23:36 PM
Quote from: Infobahn on January 19, 2006, 03:12:45 PM
Just tell them that you are printing the colors THEY asked for.  The way they look on their screens don't count.

That's what I've emphasized.  If they use the Pantone (CMYK/RGB whatever) colors that are specified in the style guide, they'll be fine.  If they get all random, well, it's random and they should STFU.

It's difficult to explain to people why what they see on their monitor isn't always what comes out on the printer.  They trust what they see more than they trust the machine.
Title: Re: Color printing question
Post by: Infobahn on January 19, 2006, 03:36:56 PM
Trust has nothing to do with printing.  They just need to follow the rules if they want their prints to work.  Crack down on them!!!