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CMYK or RGB for laser/inkjet printers?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
January 23, 2021
3 replies
9583 views

Hi!

I’m wondering: what color mode should be used for vector artwork that is intended for laser printers or inkjet printers, since those are RGB devices.

Should the Illustrator document be set in CMYK or RGB?

Thank you!

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Correct answer jdanek

"intended for laser printers or inkjet printers, since those are RGB devices."

They are? You won't find they have 3 color cartridges 1.) R, 1.) G, 1.) B. Terminology may be a bit off. When you work in a "closed loop" and your output device is a "photographic" RGB printer ( Canon, HP, Epson ), then you can send an RGB file to it ( may be advantageous in type of color you are expecting ). Most printers can output CMYK, some better than others ( photographic vs. proofers ). You fail to mention anything about your file other than it is vector. So, without knowing more, it is a little difficult to reconnend anything specific. Monika mentions Black output, which could be a concern. So, in short, it depends on the final output device and the file itself.

J

jdanekCorrect answer

Inspiring

"intended for laser printers or inkjet printers, since those are RGB devices."

They are? You won't find they have 3 color cartridges 1.) R, 1.) G, 1.) B. Terminology may be a bit off. When you work in a "closed loop" and your output device is a "photographic" RGB printer ( Canon, HP, Epson ), then you can send an RGB file to it ( may be advantageous in type of color you are expecting ). Most printers can output CMYK, some better than others ( photographic vs. proofers ). You fail to mention anything about your file other than it is vector. So, without knowing more, it is a little difficult to reconnend anything specific. Monika mentions Black output, which could be a concern. So, in short, it depends on the final output device and the file itself.

Syntax_OneAuthor

Known Participant

Inkjet printers use cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks (plus additional inks to extend gamut and detail), which in theory at least makes them CMYK devices. But in practice, unless you're printing through a PostScript raster image processor (RIP), desktop inkjet printer drivers are built to receive only RGB data.

J

jdanek

Inspiring

Not really. I have an HP plain Jane office printer that, through its driver which is GL5, does a decent job printing CMYK. So, it depends, too, on the driver, which does not have to be a RIP.

Sent from my iPhone

Monika Gause

Community Expert

If there are fine black lines and fine text in your document, then check with the print service bureau if RGB black will be an issue. It depends on their processes and machines whether it is.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

Inkjet printers are generally capable to reproduce more colors than CMYK printing presses.

So I would suggest to create your artwork in an RGB document.

Syntax_OneAuthor

Known Participant

Thanks!

And what if the Illustrator document is going to be imported in InDesign afterwards (for additional design work) to finally be exported as a PDF in order to be printed on a laser printer?

What would be the recommended color modes and export settings for each step?

Thanks again!

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

Just keep it RGB all the way.

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