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Colour in print versus on screen

Lesson 22 of 27 in Colour.

Why don't printed colors match what I see on the screen ? (5 things to consider) · Oppaca Tube

Lesson

A screen emits light and paper reflects it, and everything else follows from that. A screen at full brightness in a dark room can show a blue no ink can approach, and a printed black on good stock can look deeper than a screen's black in daylight.

The screen gamut, the print gamut and a spot colour outside both.

In a dim studio a designer holds a printed blue square next to a laptop showing a much brighter glowing blue square. — A designer holds a printed swatch beside a glowing screen of the same blue. The screen gives off light while paper only reflects it, so the two never fully match.

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Question 1, locked
A brand's vivid screen orange is converted to CMYK for its first print run. What does the lesson say usually happens?
- It prints brighter, since ink is denser than light
- It prints almost identically if the file is set up well
- It comes back noticeably duller, often found at proof
- It shifts towards red, but keeps its brightness
Question 2, locked
A brand's main surface is its packaging. How does the lesson say it should specify its colour?
- Specify on screen and hope the print matches
- Specify a spot ink and derive the screen value
- Specify one value and use it for both media
- Specify in CMYK and let the printer adjust it later
Question 3, locked
A designer has a calibrated monitor in a controlled room and wants to sign off print colour on it. What does the lesson say?
- That is fine, as calibration removes the difference
- That works for spot inks but not for process colour
- That is acceptable if the room lighting is dimmed
- Never judge print colour on a screen, use proofs

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