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Known Participant
October 7, 2023
Question

CMYK colours differ in print.

  • October 7, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 2711 views

Hello all!
Perhaps a beginner's question:
When I print my digital art (with a professional printer) some colours look very sharp, they form a layer on the paper surface. But the other colours look very dull (like grainy). I don't know how to explain this properly.
I export my files as a high print quality PDF.
Can anyone help me with my problem?

 

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

Mike_Gondek10189183
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 7, 2023

Make sure you are in file >> Document Color Mode > CMYK for that 2400dpi digital press. Please provide the CMYK values of a few colors that are not looking correct, and the CMYK values of one color that is looking correct. Please priovide a cellphone picture of your printout. If we can see what your results are we can better assist.

koljanoffAuthor
Known Participant
October 7, 2023

Hi Mike,

Thank you for your message and willing to help me out:)

I'm using CMYK colour mode. Attached are some images of the CMYK values and a picture of the print.

 

 

koljanoffAuthor
Known Participant
October 14, 2023

Anybody can help me out?

 

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 7, 2023

"Grainy" - are you perhaps referring to halftone screening?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halftone

 

That would be something that cannot be. changed with a different color profile.

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 7, 2023

Not a different color profile, but there are many settings in the rip software for changing the screening.

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 7, 2023

When you talk about a "professional printer" do you mean a printing company or a printing device?

In both cases, do you have an output profile from the company or for the device?

Is it 4 color printing or is a printer used that has more than 4 colors.

If more than 4 colors, it may be worth to work in RGB and check the output preview with Proof Colors.

koljanoffAuthor
Known Participant
October 7, 2023

Hi Ton,

Thank you for your answer.

I'm talking about the machine itself. To be more precise Cannon imagePRESS V1350.

I don't have any output profile, to be honest. 

Can you tell me more about "check the output preview with Proof Colors" ?

 

Nik

 

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 7, 2023

Looks like that is a 4 color toner printer that can simulate and use ICC printing profiles like Fogra 39.

Depending on the rip software, there are so many settings that can influence the output that it seems better to talk to the company that you bought the printer from.